ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons sign Vellano, waive Olatoye

Atlanta Falcons' Joe Vellano walks on the field during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Credit: David Goldman

Credit: David Goldman

Atlanta Falcons' Joe Vellano walks on the field during a workout at the NFL football team's practice facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
By
Sept 21, 2017

Defensive tackle Joe Vellano was signed from the practice squad and cornerback Deji Olatoye was waived by the Falcons on Thursday.

“Joe has done a good job,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “I thought heading into training camp and when we got down to 53 he was one of the difficult spots for us. He’s really has been on his game. With Courtney (Upshaw) likely to miss this week, it was important to have another inside player.”

Vellano was originally signed by New England in 2013. He has been on the Colts and Patriots practice squads.

He was on the Falcons practice squad last season and was promoted near the end of the season. He played in the NFC championship game and Super Bowl LI.

Olatoye played in five games last season for the Falcons and the first two games of this season.

About the Author

D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. is the award-winning Atlanta Falcons beat writer for the newspaper and has been on the staff since 2003. D. Orlando strives to provide inside information into the Falcons and the NFL. He finds the most joy in providing insight into the team, coaching moves, offseason business moves, draft and games.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (16) looks to pass against Penn State in the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Ex-Centennial quarterback Max Brosmer hopes cold-weather colleges will help him in NFL

Trevor Etienne among prospects who helped themselves: 5 NFL combine winners and losers

The Falcons, and other teams, will use the combine results as a part of their evaluation process leading to the draft, which is set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward claim top status as top quarterback prospect for NFL draft

Sanders is a son of ex-Falcons and Braves great Deion Sanders. Ward’s only scholarship offer after high school in Texas was to the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

The Latest

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (16) looks to pass against Penn State in the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (David Berding/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Ex-Centennial quarterback Max Brosmer hopes cold-weather colleges will help him in NFL

Trevor Etienne among prospects who helped themselves: 5 NFL combine winners and losers

Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward claim top status as top quarterback prospect for NFL draft

Featured

State Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) speaks during a state Senate Ethics Committee hearing on election security at the Paul D. Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Harbin is the main sponsor of SB 120, which would withhold state funding or state-administered federal money to any public school or college that implements DEI policies. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Anti-DEI bill passes Georgia committee, setting up likely Senate fight

A Georgia Senate committee passed a bill banning DEI from public schools and colleges that receive state money.

City of Atlanta removes crosswalk where pedestrian was killed

The action was taken just days after the AJC reported on the pedestrian death and confusion over whether the Peachtree Center crosswalk was valid.

Braves catcher Sean Murphy suffers cracked rib, expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks

It’s more bad luck for Murphy, who suffered a left oblique injury on opening day 2024 and missed significant time across what he called a “frustrating” process.