FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons today agreed to terms with defensive tackle Grady Jackson. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Falcons also placed cornerback Von Hutchins on injured reserve, released defensive lineman David Patterson and signed cornerback Glenn Sharpe.
Jackson, 6-2, 345 pounds, is an 11-year NFL veteran who has made stops with the Oakland Raiders (1997-2001), New Orleans Saints (2002-03), Green Bay Packers (2003-05), Atlanta Falcons (2006-07, 2008) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2007). He has competed in 155 games while compiling 507 tackles (362 solo), 33.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and a blocked PAT (2002) and field goal (1997).
The Greensboro, Alabama, native saw action in 16 games with the Falcons in 2006 and led all NFL players with 13 tackles for loss. Last season, Jackson opened the campaign in an Atlanta uniform and played in seven games while contributing with 18 tackles and one sack before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars off of waivers.
Hutchins was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury on the first day of training camp workouts. He was signed by the Falcons as a free agent on March 2, 2008 after spending the past two seasons (2006-07) with the Houston Texans.
Patterson was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Falcons on May 1, 2007. The Ohio State graduate spent the 2007 campaign on the injured reserve list with a foot injury.
Sharpe, 6-0, 185 pounds, was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on April 28, 2008. He was waived by the Falcons on July 25, 2008. Sharpe is a graduate of the University of Miami (Fla.) where he recorded 44 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high 14 passes defensed last season.
The Falcons will continue their 2008 training camp schedule tomorrow, July 30, with one practice slated for 1:30 p.m. On Thursday, July 31, NFL Official, Jerome Boger, will be available to the media to present new rule changes for the 2008 season.
