Atlanta Fortress: Roberts return and a flurry of Falcons depth moves as the opener with Tampa Bay looms. Sam Roberts comes off the Panthers’ practice squad to bolster the interior, while David Sills V, Simeon Barrow Jr, and Carlos Washington Jr shuffle on and off the active roster and practice squad. The Falcons also rotate Sills and Washington onto the active roster for game day, keeping Barrow on the practice squad for added versatility.

The moves underline Atlanta’s emphasis on improving run defense and positional flexibility within a tight week-before-game window, with a handful of veterans and undrafted players-in-waiting providing immediate depth for a crucial Week 1 clash against the Buccaneers.

Atlanta signed Sam Roberts off Carolina's practice squad, boosting the Falcons' interior defensive line ahead of Week 1. Roberts, a 2022 sixth-round pick who spent time with the Patriots and Bears, appeared in 12 games for New England and logged seven tackles. The Panthers kept him for three games this season, then waived him during final cuts before bringing him back to the practice squad. The move signals Atlanta’s intent to shore up the middle in a divisional showdown with New Orleans and Tampa.

Roberts’ path to Atlanta is a veteran depth play that could unlock extra run-stopping snaps if he secures a steady role behind the starters. For fantasy IDP managers, expect a gradual integration rather than immediate big numbers, unless injuries shift the Falcons’ rotation or create clearer paths to meaningful opportunities. Carolina gains additional practice-squad flexibility as Week 1 looms.

The New England Patriots have released wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, a second-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, marking the end of a disappointing chapter for the 24-year-old.

Despite his impressive speed, Thornton struggled to make an impact, finishing his career with 22 receptions for 247 yards as a rookie and just four catches for 47 yards in 2024. His release highlights the struggles of the Patriots' 2022 draft class, with only one player remaining on the active roster.