Sports
Andy Dalton joins Falcons’ quarterback room as Cooper Rush is cut
Atlanta signed veteran Andy Dalton on Monday and released Cooper Rush, keeping four quarterbacks on its active roster. Dalton is expected to serve as the No. 3 quarterback and a potential game-day emergency option.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and released Cooper Rush on Monday, making a change to the back of their quarterback depth chart while retaining four quarterbacks on the active roster.
Dalton is expected to take the No. 3 role and could be available as an emergency quarterback on game days, a spot Rush had filled over the previous four weeks. The roster also includes Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa and Jack Strand.
Coach Kevin Stefanski described the move as a routine effort to improve the roster. General manager Ian Cunningham is continually looking for available players who could help, Stefanski said, and Dalton was an option.
Dalton, whose career passing-yard total ranks 27th in NFL history, joins Atlanta after playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. His arrival adds an experienced option behind the team’s top quarterbacks, though the Falcons have not indicated a change to their starting plans.