FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons today signed free agent offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, signed defensive tackle J’Vonne Parker to the practice squad, released tight end Jason Rader and released defensive end Sean Conover from the practice squad.
Gandy, 6-5, 308 pounds, competed with the Falcons from 2006-07, starting in every contest before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury following Week 5 meeting at Tennessee last year. He has competed in 212 career games and started in every contest he has played in from 1995-2007. Gandy was originally selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft and spent five seasons in a Rams uniform before being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in 1999. Following a three-year stint with the New Orleans Saints (2003-05), Gandy was traded to the Falcons in 2006.
He returns to the Falcons in the wake of injuries.
Starting left tackle Sam Baker (hip) will see specialists this week and not play in Oakland. Reserve Todd Weiner has battled knee problems.
Parker, 6-4, 325 pounds, was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as a rookie free agent in 2005 and saw action in four games. In 2006, he competed with the Browns and the Dallas Cowboys while recording three tackles in six games. Last season, Parker was signed to the Ravens practice squad in October and was moved to the active roster for the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In three years (2005-07), Parker totaled six tackles (four solo) and one fumble recovery in 11 games.
Rader was signed by the Falcons in March of 2008, but was waived at the conclusion of training camp on September 1. Following the second week of the season, Rader was signed back to the Falcons as he competed in one game, starting against Philadelphia in Week 8.
Conover was signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 1, 2008.
