Weatherspoon signs on for a third tour of duty with beloved Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons re-signed linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, for his third tour of duty with the team.

Also, rookie weakside linebacker Duke Riley suffered a knee injury against New England on Sunday and is set to have surgery.

“Spoon is back where he wanted to be,” his agent, Ryan Williams, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. “He’s healthy and ready to go.”

Weatherspoon, 29, will be a popular addition in the locker room and for the fan base. The Falcons selected him 19th in the 2010 draft.

Weatherspoon was on his way to Pro Bowl status until a rash of injuries knocked him off his course in 2013. He started 44 of 65 games.

After 2013, he left for Arizona as a free agent because they guaranteed more money. He returned to the Falcons in 2016 only to suffer a ruptured Achilles in Week 5.

He was a starter on the 2012 defense that reached the NFC Championship game and came within six yards of reaching the Super Bowl.

“Everything was a factor for him,” Williams said. “They have a phenomenally talented team. He loves the city. He definitely loves everything about it. It was a no-brainer for him to come back and contribute.”

Weatherspoon has been angling for a return since the offseason. He has been a regular at Falcons home games and he let team officials know that he’s in shape if needed.

In six seasons — five with the Falcons — Weatherspoon racked up 338 combined tackles, eight sacks, 15 pass deflections and one touchdown.

Riley appeared in all six Falcons games, including five starts. He had eight tackles and 11 assists. The Falcons have not announced that Riley will require surgery.

To make room for Weatherspoon, the Falcons waived defensive lineman Joe Vellano.

The team also made two practice-squad moves, signing defensive lineman Taniela Tupou and waiving defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard.