Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener

Updated Sep. 5, 2020 5:09 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons cut former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and two quarterbacks Saturday as they got down to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season.

Treadwell was the 23rd overall choice of the Vikings in 2016, but has yet to make much of an impact in the NFL. He played in 53 games with Minnesota, including 16 starts, and had 65 catches for 701 yards and two touchdowns before the team let him go after four seasons.

in March.

“Although my time here was short it definitely was worth it,” Treadwell wrote on Twitter. “Great team, great city, great coaches! Take all my loses like a man."

The Falcons were left with two quarterbacks on the roster after cutting Kurt Benkert and recently signed Kyle Lauletta. Matt Ryan is heading into his 13th season as the starter, while 39-year-old Matt Schaub remains the backup.

There has been speculation that the Falcons might be interested in Josh Rosen, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He was traded after only one season with the Arizona Cardinals and , with the Miami Dolphins.

Benkert was on the practice squad in 2018 and missed all of last season after sustaining a toe injury during the preseason.

“One way or another I am good and I am blessed," Benkert said on Twitter. "It’s a marathon that I won’t stop running for."

The Falcons also cut offensive linemen Ka’John Armstrong, Justin Gooseberry, Sean Harlow and Evin Ksiezarczyk; receivers Devin Gray, Juwan Green, Jalen McCleskey and Chris Rowland; tight end Jared Pinkney; running backs Mikey Daniel and Craig Reynolds; defensive lineman Hinwa Allieu, Austin Edwards and Sailosi Latu; linebackers Edmond Robinson and Ray Wilborn; cornerbacks Delrick Abrams, Tyler Hall and Josh Hawkins; and safeties Jamal Carter, Chris Cooper and J.J. Wilcox. Tight end Khari Lee had already been released with an injury settlement.

Defensive end Steven Means is on the COVID-19 list and doesn't count against the 53-man roster. Cornerback Jordan Miller will spend the first three games on the suspended list as he completes his punishment for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy late last season.

Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener

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