Falcons tweak their practice squad, adding DL Nick Thurman

The Falcons will never stop making changes to the practice squad. It’s simply not going to happen.

Today, the move is adding former Patriots defensive lineman Nick Thurman and cutting ties with wide receiver Keelan Doss, who has been with the Falcons since early September. With Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage back in the fold and six receivers on the active roster, the team apparently felt they could afford to add a defensive lineman they’re interested in.

Thurman appeared in seven games for the Patriots in 2020, managing 10 combined tackles for New England. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Texans in 2018 and spent time with the Bucs before finding a home with the Patriots, where he spent the entire 2019 season on the practice squad and then got some game action in 2020. The defensive tackle was used as a run stopper and occasional nose tackle in a 3-4 front by New England in 2020, but did get a look as an interior pass rusher in the 2019 preseason.

In Atlanta, Thurman will see if he can catch the coaching staff’s eye and get some run on the active roster for a team without a lot of settled depth along the defensive line.

Welcome Thurman aboard, and wish Doss well wherever he lands next.