FLOWERY BRANCH — To get to the 85-player maximum by 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Falcons cut four players. They also placed a player on injured reserve.
“(General manager) Terry (Fontenot) and I talked to every person that went through that,” coach Arthur Smith said Tuesday. “Those are not easy discussions, but as always, everything we do here, we do it with dignity.”
Tight end Tucker Fisk, inside linebacker Rashad Smith, punter Seth Vernon and safety Tre Webb were released.
Cornerback Cornell Armstrong (undisclosed injury) was placed on injured reserve.
“It’s really hard when you have a competitive camp,” Smith said. “You’ve got to make decisions on guys that have really done everything that you’ve asked them to do.”
Vernon punted three times against the Lions for 134 yards and an average 44.7 gross, 41.3 net. He also placed two punts inside the 20. Veteran Bradley Pinion will be the team’s punter.
“We were very blessed to have Seth here,” special-teams coordinator Marquice Williams said. “He does have a very strong and talented leg to play at this level. I wish him nothing but the best. When it comes to that position and him playing, his future in the NFL, he is talented. ... His best days are yet to come in this profession. I’m excited for him wherever that may be.”
The teams must cut to 80 players by Aug. 23, and the final cutdown to 53 players must be completed by 4 p.m. Aug. 30.
Teams then can sign 16 players to the practice squad by noon Aug. 31.
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