National Football League

Falcons sign veteran LB A.J. Hawk, place Weatherspoon on IR

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:38 p.m. ET

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons have addressed a sudden depth problem at linebacker by signing free agent A.J. Hawk, who spent his first nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

The Falcons placed linebacker Sean Weatherspoon on injured reserve. Weatherspoon ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a 48-33 win Sunday over Carolina.

The 32-year-old Hawk had 24 tackles with Cincinnati in 2015, his only season with the Bengals.

Atlanta rookie starting outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell missed the Carolina game with an ankle injury while backup Paul Worrilow was held out with a groin injury. Rookie starter Deion Jones left the game with a calf injury.

Former starter Paul Worrilow also was held out against Carolina with a groin injury.

The Falcons also released linebacker O'Brien Schofield, waived linebacker Davis Tull off the practice squad and signed punter Michael Palardy to the practice squad.

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