Falcons Waive DL Joe Vellano, Sign DL Taniela Tupou To PS

The Atlantal Falcons announced Tuesday that they’ve waived DL Joe Vellano in order to make room for LB Sean Weatherspoon.

• The Falcons also signed DL Taniela Tupou to their practice squad and released DL Jonathan Woodard from the unit.

The Falcons’ practice squad now consists of:

1. DB Marcelis Branch
2. OT Daniel Brunskill
3. WR Deante Burton
4. TE Alex Gray (International)
5. DE J.T. Jones
6. TE Joshua Perkins (Injured)
7. G Jamil Douglas
8. QB Trevor Knight (Injured)
9. WR Reggie Davis
10. QB Garrett Grayson
11. RB Brian Hill
12. NT Joey Ivie
13. DL Taniela Tupou

Vellano, 28, signed on with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland back in 2013. He had a brief stint with the Colts before returning to New England on a future/reserve contract last year.

The Falcons later signed Vellano to their practice squad and he had been on and off of their active roster ever since.

In 2017, Vellano has appeared in four games for the Falcons and recorded four tackles and no sacks.

Tupou, 24, wound up signing on with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Washington back in May of last year. He signed a three-year, $1.62 million contract with the Seahawks but was cut as the team trimmed down to 53 players.

Seattle later re-signed him shortly after clearing waivers.

Tupou joined the Falcons back in May but was unfortunately among their roster cuts coming out of the preseason. Atlanta added him to their practice squad a few weeks into the regular season and he’s been on and off of their roster this season.

In 2016, Tupou appeared in one game for the Seahawks but did not record any statistics.