ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have officially trimmed their roster to 53 players, making a series of moves that included injury designations, a suspension, an activation and a trade with the Chicago Bears.
Among the biggest moves, Atlanta acquired defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. from Chicago in exchange for defensive back Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick, pending physicals.
Dexter was originally selected by the Bears in the second round with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida. His arrival adds another piece to an Atlanta defensive front that will look noticeably different entering the 2026 season.
Falcons Make Several Roster Designations
As part of the roster reduction, wide receiver Beaux Collins was placed on reserve/injured-designated for return, leaving open the possibility for him to return later in the season.
Defensive back Darren Hall was placed on reserve/injured, while defensive end Keshawn Banks was waived/injured.
Defensive lineman Anterio Thompson was moved to the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list.
The Falcons also officially placed defensive end James Pearce Jr. on the Reserve/Suspended list. Pearce is serving an eight-game suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Atlanta did receive some positive news in the secondary, activating defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list and adding him to the active roster.
Four Quarterbacks Make the Initial 53
One of the more interesting developments is Atlanta carrying four quarterbacks on its initial roster.
Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush, Jack Strand and Tua Tagovailoa all earned spots on the initial 53-man roster.
While Penix and Tagovailoa are both on the roster, Atlanta has not yet officially named its Week 1 starting quarterback, leaving the competition unresolved as the Falcons transition from the preseason to preparations for the regular-season opener.
Strand made his case throughout the preseason, including scoring Atlanta’s only touchdown against Denver and helping lead the Falcons to a 34-6 preseason victory over Miami.
Atlanta’s backfield is down to two running backs, with Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. making the roster.
The wide receiver room features Chris Blair, Zachariah Branch, Jahan Dotson, Drake London and Olamide Zaccheaus.
At tight end, the Falcons kept Austin Hooper, Kyle Pitts Sr. and Charlie Woerner.
Atlanta’s Initial 53-Man Roster
Quarterbacks (4): Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush, Jack Strand, Tua Tagovailoa.
Wide Receivers (5): Chris Blair, Zachariah Branch, Jahan Dotson, Drake London, Olamide Zaccheaus.
Running Backs (2): Brian Robinson Jr., Bijan Robinson.
Tight Ends (3): Austin Hooper, Kyle Pitts Sr., Charlie Woerner.
Offensive Line (9): Corey Levin, Chris Lindstrom, Jake Matthews, Ethan Onianwa, Jawaan Taylor, Matthew Bergeron, Kyle Hinton, Michael Jerrell and Ryan Neuzil.
Defensive Line (6): Gervon Dexter Sr., Brandon Dorlus, Da’Shawn Hand, Zach Harrison, LaCale London and Maason Smith.
Defensive Ends (3): Samson Ebukam, Za’Darius Smith and Cameron Thomas.
Inside Linebackers (5): JD Bertrand, Kendal Daniels, Divine Deablo, Christian Harris and Harold Perkins Jr.
Cornerbacks (7): Natrone Brooks, Malcolm Dewalt IV, Mike Ford Jr., Mike Hughes, C.J. Henderson, A.J. Terrell Jr. and Avieon Terrell.
Safeties (6): Jessie Bates III, Billy Bowman Jr., Sydney Brown, DeMarcco Hellams, Jammie Robinson and Xavier Watts.
Specialists (3): Jake Bailey, Nick Folk and Liam McCullough.
Roster Set — For Now
Getting down to 53 players marks one of the biggest checkpoints of the preseason, but the Falcons’ roster is far from guaranteed to remain unchanged.
Waiver claims, practice-squad additions, injuries and additional transactions could reshape the group before Atlanta begins the regular season.
For now, though, the Falcons have their initial 53.
With the quarterback competition between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa still to be decided, Dexter joining a revamped defensive front and Bowman returning to the secondary, Atlanta can now shift its attention from preseason evaluations to preparing for games that officially count.
