Falcons waive defensive tackle Mahelona

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons released defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona Friday a little over a month after he joined the team.

The former University of Tennessee standout joined the Falcons on Nov. 20 after defensive tackles Trey Lewis and Rod Coleman were placed on injured reserve.

Mahelona, 6-0, 311 pounds, was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round (169th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. In his rookie season with the Titans, he compiled 21 tackles and one sack in 10 games. Mahelona was waived by Tennessee in September and was signed by Miami. The Dolphins released him in October.

He was inactive in four of the last five games for the Falcons, seeing action last week at Arizona.

The move leaves the Falcons with 52 players on the active roster.