Kofi Inkoom
The Atlanta Falcons are known for surprising people on and off the field, and the decision to release Jaylinn Hawkins before the seventh week of the season is one of those rare off-the-field shocks.
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the team let go of Hawkins on Tuesday, leaving the 26-year-old safety searching for a new team unless the Falcons can somehow get him back on the practice squad.
It’s doubtful that they intended to do so, and even if they did, their chances of success are slim.
Hawkins had a limited role this year under the new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, with DeMarcco Hellams getting more defensive snaps in two of the past three weeks.
However, Hawkins had been a key player on special teams until recently, even though he was one of the players involved in Atlanta’s coverage breakdown on Jamison Crowder’s significant punt return.
The decision to cut him is puzzling, as at the very least, Hawkins provided experienced and solid depth and was a familiar face for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams. This move can only be seen as a surprise.
At just 26 years old and not too long ago a starter for the Falcons, Hawkins should have no trouble finding a new team, unless there’s some undisclosed major issue behind his release.
It’s possible that this move is a precursor to the Falcons making a roster addition through a trade or acquisition, but either way, it’s unlikely that Hawkins will return to Atlanta, given his experience and potential value to other teams in need of safety depth.
This development means that DeMarcco Hellams is now the third safety and is likely to take on a more significant role on both defense and special teams going forward.
Micah Abernathy might see some more time on the active roster in the coming weeks before eventually becoming a reserve player on the 53-man roster, but there’s a lot of uncertainty following such a significant and unexpected move.