Lee Smith
FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison (30) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons tight end Lee Smith retires after 11 years in NFL

Jan. 27, 2022 11:56 AM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars 11/28/2021

Nov. 28, 2021 01:33 PM EST

Falcons activate OLB Fowler, place Means on injured reserve

Nov. 13, 2021 03:17 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. has been activated to the Atlanta Falcons active roster from injured reserve and is expected to...

New Orleans Saints running back Alex Armah (40) celebrates his touchdown with running back Mark Ingram (14) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Adaptable Saints take on Falcons with a new starting QB

By Brett Martel Nov. 04, 2021 05:16 PM EDT

Fans gather outside the stadium before NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons 10/10/2021

Oct. 10, 2021 07:19 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo (7) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrate after their win over the New York Giants after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Falcons give Smith first win, beat Giants on Eli's day

By Tom Canavan Sep. 26, 2021 04:40 PM EDT

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) kneels during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants 9/26/2021

Sep. 26, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Falcons head into rebuilding year with new coach, no Julio

By The Associated Press Sep. 01, 2021 01:45 PM EDT
ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) New faces: Head coach Arthur Smith, TE Kyle Pitts, RB Mike Davis, OG Josh Andrews, TE Lee Smith, QB Josh Rosen, DE...

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws during their NFL training camp football practice Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Still standing: Falcons' Ryan embraces elder statesman role

By George Henry Jul. 31, 2021 02:36 PM EDT

Falcons place Fowler on reserve/COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2021 02:25 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have placed defensive end-outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. on the reserve/COVID-19 list. ...

New Falcons GM Fontenot could select successor to QB Ryan

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 01:05 PM EDT
4. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) LAST SEASON: Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were fired following an 0-5 start. The Falcons...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. Former Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan after signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers announced the three-year deal with Mack on Thursday, March 18, 2021 one day after agreeing to give left tackle Trent Williams a $138.1 million, six-year deal to remain in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons hope low-cost free agent class will make big splash

By Paul Newberry Mar. 25, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

Bills agree to sign Allen's college teammate, TE Hollister

Mar. 19, 2021 04:05 PM EDT
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills agreed to sign tight end Jacob Hollister to a one-year contract on Friday. Hollister is a...

Falcons acquire blocking tight end Lee Smith from Bills

Mar. 17, 2021 05:19 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons added a blocking tight end for new coach Arthur Smith's offense on Wednesday by acquiring veteran Lee Smith from...

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams' agents at Elite Loyalty Sports say the deal agreed to early Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021, will pay Williams $138.1 million over the next six years, surpassing the $138 million deal David Bakhtiari got from during last season. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins

By Barry Wilner Mar. 17, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 file photo, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) carries on a reception against Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Eric Wilson (50) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans. The New Orleans Saints have informed receiver Emmanuel Sanders and linebacker Kwon Alexander they'll be released in moves that will save the club nearly $20 million against the NFL's salary cap, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 because the transactions were not yet official. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Bills agree to sign receiver Sanders; retain OL Boettger

By John Wawrow Mar. 17, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, right, sacks New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Bills earn 1st sweep of Patriots since '99 with 38-9 win

By Kyle Hightower Dec. 28, 2020 11:20 PM EST

Cutout photos of people, including first responders and healthcare workers, sit in seats in Gillette Stadium before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots 12/28/2020

Dec. 28, 2020 05:46 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers players stretch prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers 12/7/2020

Dec. 07, 2020 07:32 PM EST