FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Linebacker Brian Banks was not among the eight players added to the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad.
The list included seven players who had spent time with the Falcons during training camp, including three undrafted college free agents — quarterback Seth Doege, defensive tackle Adam Replogle, wide receiver Darius Johnson — along with tight end Mickey Shuler, a seventh-round pick of Minnesota (2010).
The others were fullback Patrick DiMarco, cornerback Jordan Mabin, offensive lineman Phillipkeith Manley and wide receiver James Rodgers, the brother of Jacquizz Rodgers.
Banks spent more than five years in prison for a crime of which he was falsely accused and later exonerated. He was making a long-shot bid to land a spot on the Falcons, despite not playing any college ball.
On Sunday, Banks posted the following message on his Instagram page:
"My time with the Falcons has come to an end. Celebrating my success! No matter what happens from here, I pushed myself, I saw past my past, I succeeded. I played in the NFL! Something I thought would never happen. I thank you all for supporting me and hope you continue, be it sports or in life. #Unbroken #NeverQuit #Persevere #BeRelentless”.
With that message, he posted a photo of himself in a Falcons uniform with his name and number, as it would be presented for a graphic for the Georgia Dome scoreboard.
On Friday, FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer reported that Falcons owner Arthur Blank was so impressed with Banks that Blank and “his partners ... are actually trying to place him in a career opportunity in Atlanta around the team,” perhaps something oriented around community relations.
As a result of the signings and Saturday's final cuts, the Falcons do not have a linebacker on the practice squad. They have six on the active roster (one more than last season): Kroy Biermann, Sean Weatherspoon, Akeem Dent, Stephen Nicholas and undrafted rookie free agents Paul Worrilow and Joplo Bartu.
Among the bigger names cut on Saturday — a day of really no true surprises — was linebacker Robert James, a 2008 draftee who didn't make a sustained impact, outside of special teams.
Another notable cut was safety Charles Mitchell, a sixth-round draft pick in 2012.
Over the weekend, the Falcons also put quarterback Sean Renfree, a 2013 seventh-round pick out of Duke, on season-ending injured reserve (shoulder). His Thursday injury prompted the Falcons to sign Doege (Texas Tech) to the practice squad.
One of the few surprises to make the team was running back Josh Vaughan, who had a 65-yard touchdown run in Thursday’s preseason finale. The Falcons are carrying six running backs — a relatively high number. Some have speculated Vaughan could be trade bait for a right tackle.
Four undrafted rookie free agents earned spots on the club — perhaps the highest number in the tenures of general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith. The others are offensive tackles Ryan Schraeder and Terren Jones.
