The Atlanta Falcons made a roster move that could open the door to some much-needed flexibility in the secondary, releasing cornerback Malcolm DeWalt IV as A.J. Terrell’s return from injured reserve draws closer.
DeWalt, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft, had carved out a place for himself with a strong offseason. The 24-year-old stood out at rookie minicamp, then kept that momentum going through training camp and the preseason, enough to earn a spot on Atlanta’s initial 53-man roster.
At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, DeWalt brought the kind of size and length teams want on the outside. His college path took him through Snow College, Butte College and Akron, where he kept building his coverage game before getting his shot at the next level.
That opportunity, though, didn’t translate into regular-season production. DeWalt did not record any defensive statistics during the 2026 season.
His release comes at a notable time for Atlanta. The Falcons designated A.J.
Terrell to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, starting a 21-day practice window for the veteran cornerback. Terrell has missed the past four games after suffering a groin injury against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
If Terrell is able to get back on the field against San Francisco, it would give Atlanta a major lift in a secondary that has been stretched thin. C.J. Henderson has also been out, which has forced the Falcons to lean on younger players such as Avieon Terrell.
Atlanta has not said DeWalt’s release was tied directly to Terrell’s possible return, but the timing points in that direction as the team sorts through its roster.
There’s also a chance DeWalt ends up back with the Falcons on the practice squad if he clears waivers. That would let Atlanta keep developing a young defensive back who showed enough during the offseason to get noticed, without using a spot on the active roster right now.
For DeWalt, the door doesn’t necessarily close here. For Atlanta, the move could simply be part of the puzzle as it gets ready for Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers.
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