Falcons bolster pass rush by adding veteran Irvin
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. >> The Atlanta Falcons made a move to bolster their lackluster pass rush by agreeing to a one-year deal with defensive end Bruce Irvin on Wednesday, reuniting the veteran with coach Dan Quinn.
Irvin, cut by the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, became a free agent after clearing waivers on Tuesday with $3.8 million remaining on his contract. The Falcons play at Cleveland on Sunday.
Irvin, 31, is an Atlanta native. He celebrated his return home by posting on his Twitter account “Man it’s time! You can’t put a price on the chance for me to play for my people and city! It’s bigger than money!”
Irvin was expected to arrive in Atlanta on Wednesday night and join practice on Thursday. Quinn said Irvin will play against Cleveland.
The Falcons rank 27th in the league with 17 sacks. Takk McKinley has a team-leading 5½ sacks, but Vic Beasley has only one. Beasley led the league with 15½ sacks in 2016.
The Falcons (4-4) have won three straight despite losing starting safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal to season-ending injuries. Starting guards Andy Levitre and Brando Fusco and running back Devonta Freeman also are on IR.
Jets’ Darnold has strained foot, could miss game
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. >> Sam Darnold could be headed for the sideline this week — and maybe longer.
The Jets rookie quarterback has a strained right foot, coach Todd Bowles announced, leaving Darnold’s status for the team’s game Sunday against Buffalo in doubt.
“It’s just adversity,” Darnold said after practice. “You’ve just got to deal with it, get better as soon as possible, get back on the field as soon as possible.”
Bowles said it was too early to rule out Darnold for the game, and clarified that the injury was a strain — not a sprain, contrary to published reports.
“They’ve got him listed as day to day,” Bowles said.
Darnold was surprisingly wearing a boot on his foot at the start of practice Wednesday, and watched in sweats and a green Jets cap as McCown and Davis Webb, currently on the practice squad, threw passes in individual drills.
Darnold was injured during the Jets’ 13-6 loss at Miami last Sunday, possibly on a fourth-quarter sack by Cameron Wake in which the quarterback came up limping.
Patriots sign Tobin
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. >> The Patriots have signed offensive lineman Matt Tobin to the 53-man roster.
Tobin practiced with the team on Wednesday. He takes the place of Brian Schwenke, who was placed on injured reserve. The move comes a day after the Patriots signed linebacker Albert McClellan and defensive back Obi Melifonwu and released offensive lineman Cole Croston and defensive lineman Geneo Grissom.
Tobin played four seasons with the Eagles from 2013 to 2016 and spent 2017 in Seattle.