Falcons cut to 75; safety Goldson gets look

Former Pro Bowler would back up Ishmael until Neal returns.

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons, stilling reeling from the loss of highly touted rookie safety Keanu Neal, trimmed their roster to 75 players and worked out former All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson on Saturday.

The Falcons view Goldson as insurance at strong safety behind Kemal Ishmael, who’s set to fulfill the starting role while Neal, the 17th player taken in the draft, recovers from knee surgery.

Goldson, 31, is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. He’s a nine-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler with stops in San Francisco (200712), Tampa Bay (2013-14) and Washington (2015). He was AllPro in 2012.

Neal, who was injured against Miami on Thursday in the third exhibition game, is set to have knee surgery Monday. He’s slated to miss three to four weeks.

Goldson started 15 games at free safety last season for Washington.

“He looked good,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “He moved around well. He came in at a solid weight. He’s a big guy, who’s rangy. He can move around athletically for a guy that can play both strong and free. Obviously, in our situation, he’s more of a strong safety.”

Quinn has been impressed with Goldson’s play over the years. He was taken by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of the University of Washington.

“I like his physicality,” Quinn said. “(Neal) is our guy and we told Dashon that as well. He’ll back here shortly. But he did a really good job today . ... You can tell, even in a short interaction, what he stands for as a ball player.”

Goldson, according to his agent, has several teams interested in signing him.

“Who knows on that side?” Dimitroff said. “But the way he moved around to day, shows that he’s making his way back. Of course, he hasn’t been around a training camp, so there is always an endurance thing that he’s going to have to get his head above water that way, but he’s a smart guy with a big drive toward football. Wherever he ends up, he’ll be a contributor.”

The Falcons currently don’t have any other workouts scheduled with safeties.

The Falcons are ready to start the season with Ishmael at strong safety. Ishmael, a seventh-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2013, started 10 games in 2014 and five in 2015. He’s a capable backup, but Neal’s injury is a blow to Quinn’s plan to field a faster and more physical defense.

Ishmael is recovering from a shoulder injury.

“We anticipate him being back in the mix starting (today) at practice,” Quinn said. “He’ll get limited work and a little more going through the week. We are encouraged (about) that. But right after we knew about (Neal’s) injury, Thomas and the guys were kind of quick to get Dashon in and get our chance to visit with him. As far as Dashon goes, he would not be a starter here.”

Pending the Goldson situation, the Falcons have Damian Parms and Sharrod Neaseman as strong safeties on the roster.

In addition to working out Goldson, the Falcons released safety Sergio Brown and waived offensive lineman Michael Huey, running back Gus Johnson, wide receiver Jordan Leslie, tight end Arthur Lynch (who played at Georgia), linebacker Ivan McLennan, quarterback Sean Renfree, cornerback Ryan White, and defensive lineman Brandon Williams.

The Falcons released wide receiver David Glidden, cornerback Jordan Sefron, guard Jordan Walsh, defensive end Efe Obada and fullback Will Ratelle on Friday.

Renfree, who was the second-string quarterback last season, was the closest thing to a surprise cut. But his days were basically numbered after the team signed veteran quarterback Matt Schaub in March.

“It’s always a difficult day, and there are certain guys that you just have so much respect for,” Quinn said.

Dimitroff believes Renfree will get picked up.

“Renfree is a quality guy with a lot of intelligence,” he said.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP Among the players waived by the Falcons on Saturday was backup quarterback Sean Renfree (13), who lost the No. 2 job when veteran Matt Schaub was signed in the offseason.