The Falcons make some roster moves ahead of Week 16

The Falcons’ playoff hopes have all but diminished to nothing after dropping Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers 31-13. Atlanta still has three games left to evaluate what they have on the roster before the offseason, as multiple absences have forced the staff to go down the depth chart.

Calvin Ridley’s absence, who is still away from the team as he focuses on his mental wellbeing, has made way for Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe, etc. Erik Harris is out for the season after tearing his pec, making way for Jaylinn Hawkins and Shawn Williams to get some burn. The latter being a recent addition to the active roster from the practice squad, among several roster moves by the Falcons.

We have made the following roster moves:

– Activated Cornell Armstrong and Quinton Bell from the reserve/COVID-19 list
– Signed Chad Hansen to the practice squad
– Signed Shawn Williams from the practice squad to the active roster
– Released Will Sunderland

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 21, 2021

The former UGA Bulldog was initially drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Bengals; Williams was then signed to the Falcons practice squad at the beginning of October, where he stayed until the last two games. He played 10 snaps on defense and 19 snaps on special teams against the 49ers and played predominantly well given the small sample size.