Falcons release LB Jermaine Grace and P Ryan Allen

The Atlanta Falcons have released both linebacker Jermaine Grace and punter Ryan Allen on Friday. One of those moves is more surprising than the other.

Jermaine Grace primarily played on special teams in 2019, as he only had 6 total defensive snaps this season. He was signed to the Falcons practice squad last season after being waived by the team in 2017, and joining the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks before returning to Atlanta. He showed a lot of promise in preseason but never found his way into playing time on defense. Hopefully he’ll be back on the practice squad.

Ryan Allen was signed by the Falcons during their bye week to fill-in for the injured Matt Bosher. With Bosher set to return in week 14, the team has parted ways with Allen. While in Atlanta, Allen played in four games totaling 14 punts for 552 yards, averaging out to 39.4 yards per punt. Prior to joining the Falcons, Allen spent 6 years with the New England Patriots, winning the Super Bowl three times. Allen is probably headed out because Matt Bosher is eligible to return from injured reserve this coming week.

These moves come following the Falcons Thanksgiving night loss to the New Orleans Saints.