FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons released returner Jamal Agnew on Saturday.
Agnew was signed to the Falcons' roster during the first weeks of the free agency window in March of this year. He came to Atlanta after nine years in the league that included stops with the Detroit Lions (2017-20) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-23). Through those years, Agnew totaled 77 receptions for 746 yards and five touchdowns, and he became one of the NFL's best kickoff and punt returners.
Going into 2025, Agnew led the NFL with seven return touchdowns (four punt returns, two kickoff returns and one field goal return). He is also one of four players in NFL history to record at least one rushing touchdown, one receiving touchdown, one kickoff return touchdown and one field goal return touchdown during their career. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2023.
In 2025, Agnew was used as the Falcons' primary return man. He returned 15 punts for a total of 114 yards, an average of 7.6 yards; his longest return went for 17 yards. Agnew returned 30 kickoffs for 741 yards, an average of 24.7 yards; his longest return went for 45 yards. Agnew has been credited with three fumbles this year.
Agnew was a healthy scratch for Atlanta last Thursday night in Tampa.
In a corresponding move, the Falcons signed cornerback C.J. Henderson to the active roster off the practice squad. These moves come after the Falcons placed fellow receiver and core special teamer KhaDarel Hodge on injured reserve on Friday, signing safety Jammie Robinson to the active roster in his spot.
On Saturday, the Falcons also selected wide receiver Chris Blair and edge rusher Khalid Kareem as their standard practice squad elevations for their Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals. This marks Blair's second elevation and Kareem's first.
Blair was elevated for last Thursday's Week 15 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He didn't record any stats amid his three offensive and five special teams snaps.
Kareem was on the Falcons' active roster for their Week 11 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, so he appeared then. He made one tackle and broke up a pass during 26 defensive snaps. He also took 10 special teams snaps.
The Falcons-Cardinals game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium. FOX will carry live-game coverage.
Reminder: Every team can elevate two players from the practice squad to the active roster for each game day. A player is allowed three elevations per season. A fourth elevation would require the player to be signed to the 53-man roster.
2025 Standard Practice Squad Elevations
Week 1: WR David Sills V | RB Carlos Washington Jr.
Week 2: K Parker Romo
Week 3: N/A
Week 4: N/A
Week 5: Bye
Week 6: CB Keith Taylor | WR Deven Thompkins
Week 7: N/A
Week 8: WR Dylan Drummond | QB Easton Stick
Week 9: WR Dylan Drummond
Week 10: CB Keith Taylor | OL Joshua Gray
Week 11: CB Cobee Bryant | S Jammie Robinson
Week 12: WR Dylan Drummond | S Jammie Robinson
Week 13: WR Deven Thompkins
Week 14: CB C.J. Henderson
Week 15: S Jammie Robinson | WR Chris Blair
Take a look at our best shots from week sixteen practice ahead of the Sunday matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, presented by Gatorade.
