Keith Smith
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7), starting in place of an injured Drew Brees, hugs team owner Gayle Benson before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints 11/22/2020

Nov. 22, 2020 12:26 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings 10/18/2020

Oct. 18, 2020 12:58 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn walks the turf before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons 9/27/2020

Sep. 27, 2020 11:36 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Kurt Benkert completes a pass with Matt Ryan looking on during NFL football training camp practice Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener

By Paul Newberry Sep. 05, 2020 05:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019 file photo, Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom (63) sits on the bench during the first half an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets in Atlanta. After being limited by a foot injury to only five games in his rookie season, Lindstrom is being counted on to be a fixture at right guard and provide better protection for quarterback Matt Ryan in 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Lindstrom: Falcons' O-line must 'do better' to protect Ryan

By Charles Odum Aug. 15, 2020 03:16 PM EDT

Coach Danny Chavez aids 14-year-old Estevan Rodriguez during boxing practice Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at West Texas Knockout Boxing Club in Odessa, Texas. Both are wearing masks to abide by the boxing club's health and safety rules, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Tuesday was the club's first day open since late March. (Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP)
The Latest: FBS final rankings to be released on Dec. 20

By The Associated Press Aug. 05, 2020 11:02 AM EDT

The Latest: Lions put Allison on the reserve/opt-out list

By The Associated Press Aug. 02, 2020 02:52 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The Detroit Lions put wide...

In this photo made Thursday, July 23, 2020, an upper deck view of the new Texas Rangers home baseball stadium named Globe Life Field is seen in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Rangers' new stadium isn't retro and designers wanted the first next-generation ballpark. There is the full-panel retractable roof, the split seating levels offering full views of the ballpark with plenty of natural light. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Latest: Duke says 25 returning athletes test positive

By The Associated Press Jul. 31, 2020 12:05 PM EDT

Fans wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the new coronavirus take a selfie before the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, July 27, 2020. Masked fans hopped, sang and shouted cheering slogans in baseball stadiums in South Korea on Sunday as authorities began bringing back spectators in professional sports games amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The Latest: Lions place five players on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2020 05:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) celebrates after making an interception during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons will dramatically boost their financial flexibility by releasing three high-priced veterans _ running back Devonta Freeman, cornerback Desmond Trufant and offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. The Falcons announced the Sambrailo move on Monday, March 16, 2020. The team is finalizing the moves with Freeman and Trufant, former Pro Bowl players who had been considered foundation players for the franchise. (AP Photo/Michael Zarrilli, Fle))
Falcons cut veterans Freeman, Trufant to clear cap space

By Charles Odum Mar. 16, 2020 02:46 PM EDT

Falcons agree to 3-year contract extension with DT Davison

Mar. 15, 2020 07:52 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tyeler Davison has agreed to a three-year contract extension. Davison started...

Falcons reach 3-year agreement to keep fullback Keith Smith

Mar. 14, 2020 05:10 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith agreed to a three-year contract extension Saturday. Smith, who started five...

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks to players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons score 2 early touchdowns, beat woeful Jaguars 24-12

By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 04:38 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) hands off to running back Brian Hill (23) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers 11/17/2019

Nov. 17, 2019 01:21 PM EST

Falcons add former Raiders fullback Smith to replace Ortiz

Sep. 02, 2019 11:47 AM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Oakland Raiders fullback Keith Smith and have waived fullback Ricky Ortiz with an injury settlement...

Raiders place DT Justin Ellis on season-ending IR

By Josh Dubow Aug. 31, 2019 08:13 PM EDT
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders placed defensive tackle Justin Ellis on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury Saturday and cut two undrafted...

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (89) runs with the ball during an an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. After winning just four games last season and holding four picks in the top two rounds of the NFL draft, the Raiders figured to have plenty of opportunities for rookies to contribute. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Undrafted players making big impression on Raiders

By Josh Dubow Aug. 26, 2019 06:41 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 11, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown participates in an NFL football minicamp in Alameda, Calif. Antonio Brown returned to the Oakland Raiders training camp facility, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, after missing time to see a specialist for his frost-bitten feet and losing a grievance with the NFL over the use of a helmet. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
Brown returns to Raiders after absence for injured feet

By Josh Dubow Aug. 13, 2019 03:08 PM EDT

Antonio Brown floats in as Raiders prepare to open camp

By Michael Wagaman Jul. 26, 2019 04:36 PM EDT
NAPA, Calif. (AP) — Antonio Brown celebrated his first training camp with the Oakland Raiders by taking a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley. ...