Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons 53-Man Roster Projection: Who’s Cut, Who Stays?
After 12 intrasquad training camp sessions, three preseason games, two joint practices and one scrimmage, the Atlanta Falcons have all the stats, film and interactions at their disposal before trimming their roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday evening.
Atlanta made its first 13 cuts Sunday afternoon, which puts the active roster at 78 players, including the team’s International Player Pathway designation, outside linebacker Kenny Oginni.
But who makes the final 53-man roster? Are there any surprise cuts? Here’s our final guess at Falcons on Sports Illustrated …
Quarterbacks (2): Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.
The noteworthy part is not about who’s here, but who isn’t — Taylor Heinicke, a four-game starter last year and capable veteran backup. Heinicke is one of the more interesting names to monitor in the coming days and has both trade and cut potential.
Running backs (4): Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, Jase McClellan
Robinson and Allgeier will be the lead ballcarriers while Williams will handle kick and punt returns. McClellan, a sixth-round rookie from Alabama, narrowly gets the nod over second-year pro and returning practice squad member Carlos Washington Jr. and late signee Spencer Brown.
Receivers (6): Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington, Chris Blair
Blair led the Falcons in receiving this preseason, but he’s firmly at risk if Atlanta only carries five wideouts. London, Mooney and McCloud didn’t play in the preseason, and Hodge only suited up for the opener.
Tight ends (3): Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley
The biggest question here is whether John FitzPatrick, a sixth-round pick in 2022, sticks on the practice squad. Atlanta has high hopes for Pitts, while Woerner and Dwelley, a pair of offseason signings from the San Francisco 49ers, will hold niche offensive roles.
Offensive linemen (8): Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton, Ryan Neuzil
When Atlanta split into two fields during training camp — first- and second-string players on one side, third- and fourth-string on another — these were the eight routinely on the field with the starters.
Defensive linemen (8): Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zach Harrison, Eddie Goldman, Kentavius Street
Morris said the Falcons may go heavier up front, and of these eight, only two — rookies Orhorhoro and Dorlus — played in the preseason finale. Eight may ultimately be one body shy.
Outside linebackers (4): Matt Judon, James Smith-Williams, Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter
The mid-August trade for Judon leaves a few close candidates on the outside looking in, including 2022 third-round pick DeAngelo Malone and training camp standout Demone Harris.
Inside linebackers (4): Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, J.D. Bertrand
This has been set for months. Bertrand will be a special teams ace, while Elliss, Andersen and Landman will handle a variety of roles in the middle of Atlanta’s defense.
Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, Clark Phillips III, Antonio Hamilton Sr., Kevin King
Terrell, Hughes, Alford, Phillips and Hamilton did not play in the preseason finale. King is the favorite to be Atlanta’s No. 6 corner, beating Natrone Brooks and Anthony Johnson after snatching the team’s lone interception and tying for a team-high with two passes defended. King has also seen time at safety giving him the versatility edge over Brooks.
Safeties (5)*: Jessie Bates III, Justin Simmons, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, DeMarcco Hellams*
The Falcons believe Hellams, who will miss “significant time” with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, can return later this season. Thus, he needs to be on the initial 53-man roster, though he’ll likely be placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. If he were to be placed on injured reserve beforehand, his season would be over.
Special teams (3): Kicker Younghoe Koo, Punter Bradley Pinion, Long Snapper Liam McCullough
The Falcons carried the same three specialists last year and have only these three currently on their roster.
Offense: 23
Defense: 27
Special teams: 3
Atlanta, GA
4 passengers injured as hundreds evacuate Delta flight by emergency slide in Atlanta
Hundreds of passengers were forced to evacuate a Delta airlines flight by emergency slides in snowy conditions Friday after an aborted takeoff in Atlanta — leading to at least four injuries and one hospitalization, authorities said.
Roughly 200 people hurriedly deplaned Minneapolis-bound flight 2668 on the tarmac at Atlanta International Airport at 9:10 a.m. due to an engine problem, airline officials said.
Footage posted on social media shows frazzled travelers, including children, running with their luggage from a Boeing 757-300 plane in several inches of snow, according to atlantanewsfirst.com.
Four passengers reported minor injuries and one was taken to the hospital, while the others were treated at the scene, the airport said.
Details about the engine problems were not immediately clear.
Delta apologized to passengers for the nerve-wracking experience.
“Delta’s flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight…after an indication of an engine issue,” Delta said in a statement.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”
Atlanta, GA
Houston faces Atlanta on 3-game win streak
Houston Rockets (25-12, second in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (19-19, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory over Atlanta.
The Hawks have gone 10-7 at home. Atlanta ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 17.5 fast break points per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 3.6.
The Rockets have gone 12-6 away from home. Houston averages 113.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.0 points per game.
The Hawks’ 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Rockets give up. The Hawks average 113.1 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 119.8 the Hawks give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the Hawks.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and five assists for the Rockets.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 5-5, averaging 119.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 11.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points per game.
Rockets: 7-3, averaging 113.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: day to day (personal).
Rockets: Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Jabari Smith Jr.: out (hand).
——
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright © 2025 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
MLS apologizes for falsely announcing Atlanta United transfer
Major League Soccer apologized Thursday for publishing a story on its website that identified the wrong player as having transferred to one of its clubs, Atlanta United.
The league’s website, MLSSoccer.com, published a story Wednesday that falsely reported that Celtic FC and Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi had been acquired by Atlanta. The article was quickly removed.
“Major League Soccer’s website mistakenly posted an article that named the wrong player as having signed with an MLS club,” the league said in a statement to The Athletic. “The article was immediately removed and corrected. MLS extends its sincere apologies to the impacted parties.”
The false report is no longer available, and the link now directs to an error message.
The mistake appears linked to Atlanta’s transfer hint for another player, US-born Cayman Togashi, a former Japanese youth international who spent his entire professional career in Japan. Atlanta teased on social media the arrival of a Japanese player, fueling those rumors even more.
The club later announced it signed Togashi through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The 31-year-old signed on a free transfer from Sagan Tosu in Japan’s top flight.
Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Atlanta submitted a $12 million bid for Furuhashi. The club also recently named Ronny Delia, a former Celtic manager, as its head coach. Around the time of the false report by MLS, Furuhashi played in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United, coming on as a substitute for Adam Idah in the 62nd minute.
(Photo: Craig Foy / SNS Group via Getty Images)
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