Falcons Reportedly Hope to Bring Back Struggling Rookie They Just Cut

Atlanta might not be done with this just-cut UDFA after all.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is shown on the field during Rookie Minicamp at the Falcons Training Camp.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is shown on the field during Rookie Minicamp at the Falcons Training Camp. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Tuesday is a massive day for football fans because it marks the NFL's annual 53-man roster cutdown deadline. The Atlanta Falcons have worked hard throughout the preseason and this week to trim their roster from 90 bodies to 53, leaving time to tell if head coach Raheem Morris' 2025 squad will be good enough to avoid an eighth consecutive postseason absence.

The Falcons wasted no time making cuts as soon as the sun rose on Tuesday, waiving undrafted rookie cornerback Cobee Bryant from his contract, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The former Kansas product struggled throughout the exhibition slate, so his release isn't entirely a surprise.

Having said that, it doesn't sound like the Falcons are finished with him yet.

Falcons Reportedly Open to Signing CB Cobee Bryant to Practice Squad

According to Schultz, the Falcons are interested in re-signing Bryant to the practice squad should he clear waivers. Such a move would show that Atlanta still has faith in his potential despite performing as one of the team's worst defenders this summer.

Bryant, 23, ended up playing two preseason games with the Falcons after signing as an UDFA rookie earlier this summer. Unfortunately, he failed to handle his assignments, allowing four catches on as many targets for 70 yards (17.5 per reception), one touchdown, and a 158.3 passer rating. For reference, that's the highest performance a quarterback can have.

With that in mind, Bryant's pitiful 28.0 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus is far from a surprise. Now, only time will tell if he'll make his way back to the Falcons to continue his NFL career.

Bryant proved to be a solid ballhawk during parts of four seasons with the Jayhawks. The Evergreen, AL native amassed 22 defended passes, 13 interceptions, and a pair of Pick-6s during that stretch, and finished with a PFF coverage grade of 71.5 or better in each of his last three seasons in the program.

Bryant is still young enough to carve out a lengthy NFL career, so the ball is in his court to make the most of his next opportunity, whether it's on the Falcons' practice squad or with another team altogether.

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