Falcons Signing QB Josh Rosen. Per Report
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is down to two quarterbacks after losing A.J. McCarron to a season ending injury on Saturday night against the Dolphins.
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Matt Ryan has yet to play a snap during the preseason, and Feleipe Franks has flashed athleticism but has struggled in the passing game.
The Falcons looked to add a veteran quarterback this week - and it’s former top NFL Draft pick Josh Rosen who reportedly is getting the nod. (Jordan Schultz was first with the word.)
Rosen was the 10th overall pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 NFL Draft. Rosen was 3-10 as a starter, throwing 14 interceptions against 11 touchdowns.
He was deemed expendable when the Cardinals felt they could upgrade by taking Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick a year later.
Rosen was traded to Miami for a second-round pick in 2019 and a 2020 fifth-round pick. He struggled with the Dolphins where he started three games and had one touchdown against five interceptions.
The Dolphins then took Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth-overall pick in the 2020 draft, and Rosen was waived.
Rosen spent the 2020 season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in December of 2020.
Smith addressed the topic after practice on Monday.
"We're going to work some guys out this afternoon," said Smith. "And we're going to continue to look at all avenues to see if we can add to that spot. Obviously we're good with the two we've got right now, Matt, Feleipe, but we'll add one at some point this week."
That point is now.
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Smith acknowledged that the roster is constantly in flux and there may be better options available next week when NFL rosters are trimmed from 80 to 53 players on Tuesday.
"It doesn't mean if we add somebody this week, doesn't mean that we may not add another person next week. We'll continue to monitor that."
Quarterback wasn't the only concern as safety Erik Harris didn't practice on Monday, but Smith feels confident Harris will be ready when needed.
"We're just being cautious with Erik, don't expect it to be anything long-term at all."
The Falcons got good news on the defensive line with Marlon Davidson and John Cominsky returning to practice. Davidson was bothered by a leg injury, and Cominsky had been in concussion protocol.
"They're on schedule. It was good to have Marlon back out here, and John, we're going to be super cautious when we have any injuries of that type. So he's going through the protocols, and we'll be cautious with John."
The Falcons wrap up their preseason schedule on Sunday night against the Cleveland Browns. The Falcons will likely have a new quarterback on the roster by then, but he may not see any game action.
Ryan hasn't played any of the preseason so far, so he'll need to get in a few series before the Season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 12.
Feleipe Franks could see out the game once Ryan departs. He came in during the first quarter last week and finished the game against the Dolphins. But now, reportedly, Rosen - looking to rebuild his career - is available to Smith as well.
