The Atlanta Falcons have already begun tweaking their roster ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. On Monday, the team released edge rushers Jared Ivey and Drake Jackson from the 53-man roster in anticipation of James Pearce Jr.'s return in Week 9.
Ivey, a Georgia native who played for Ole Miss and Georgia Tech in college, appeared in seven games for the Falcons this season. The 25-year-old recorded eight tackles (four solo), one sack and two QB hits. Ivey began his career with the Seattle Seahawks but played just two games in 2025.
Jackson is a former second-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft. The former San Francisco 49ers edge rusher recorded 21 tackles (12 solo), six sacks, and one interception in his first
two seasons. After missing all of 2024 due to injury, Jackson landed with the Washington Commanders in 2025.
As for Pearce, while he has yet to be activated, his eight-game suspension has officially been lifted by the NFL, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Expect him back on the roster sometime this week. Even with Pearce returning, the Falcons still have another roster spot available.
Check out the team's updated 53-man roster and practice squad going into NFL Week 9 below.
Quarterbacks (4)
- Michael Penix Jr. (9)
- Tua Tagovailoa (1)
- Andy Dalton (13)
- Jack Strand (18)
Running Backs (2)
- Bijan Robinson (7)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
Wide Receivers (5)
- Drake London (5)
- Jahan Dotson (4)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
- Zachariah Branch (17)
- Chris Blair (19)
Tight Ends (4)
- Kyle Pitts (8)
- Austin Hooper (81)
- Charlie Woerner (89)
- Nick Muse (87)
Offensive Linemen (8)
- Jake Matthews (70)
- Matthew Bergeron (65)
- Ryan Neuzil (64)
- Chris Lindstrom (63)
- Jawaan Taylor (71)
- Ethan Onianwa (75)
- Kyle Hinton (68)
- Corey Levin (62)
Defensive Linemen (9)
- Gervon Dexter (95)
- Brandon Dorlus (54)
- Maason Smith(92)
- Samson Ebukam (52)
- LaCale London (94)
- Za'Darius Smith (55)
- Cameron Thomas (99)
- Zach Harrison (96)
- Charles Snowden (47)
Linebackers (5)
- Divine Deablo (0)
- Kendal Daniels (53)
- Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
- Christian Harris (45)
- Josh Woods (42)
Defensive Backs (11)
- A.J. Terrell (24)
- Avieon Terrell (12)
- Mike Hughes (21)
- Billy Bowman Jr. (33)
- C.J. Henderson (26)
- Mike Ford Jr. (28)
- Jessie Bates III (3)
- Xavier Watts (31)
- DeMarcco Hellams (23)
- Sydney Brown (29)
- Robert Longerbeam (37)
Special Teams (3)
- LS: Liam McCullough (49)
- K: Nick Folk (6)
- P: Jake Bailey (16)
Falcons practice squad
- WR Vinny Anthony (86)
- OL Kam Dewberry (61)
- WR Dylan Drummond (80)
- DB Darnay Holmes (30)
- OT Riley Mahlman (76)
- TE E.J. Jenkins (84)
- WR Antwane Wells (82)
- OL Josh Thompson (67)
- DL Zacch Pickens (93)
- RB Khalil Herbert (25)
- OL Colby Sorsdal (74)
- LB Brian Asamoah (41)
- RB Jam Miller (38)
- S Jammie Robinson (34)
- LB T.J. Quinn (43)
Reserve Lists
- OT Michael Jerrell (Reserve/Injured)
- Da'Shawn Hand (Reserve/Injured)
- LB Yasir Abdullah (Reserve/Injured)
- EDGE James Pearce Jr. (suspended)
- WR Beaux Collins (Reserve/Injured) DTR
- OT Storm Norton (Reserve/PUP)
- LB DeAngelo Malone (Reserve/PUP)
- DE Keshawn Banks (Reserve/Injured)
- LB JD Bertrand (Reserve/Injured)
- LB Jalon Walker (Reserve/Injured)
- RB Trey Sermon (Reserve/Injured)
- DT Anterio Thompson (Reserve/NFI)
- OT Cameron Williams (Reserve/Injured) DTR
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons release 2 players as James Pearce returns from suspension
