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Report: Atlanta Falcons sign former Bengal, Packer linebacker AJ Hawk

By Scott Carasik

Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk to a contract according to his agent on twitter:

Sean Weatherspoon went down with an Achilles injury on Sunday, and there was a question as to who would replace him on the roster. This answers that question pretty easily with the signing of a veteran who used to be a captain when he was with the Packers.

The leadership that Hawk can provide will be helpful. He also was one of the quicker linebackers in the league during his time with the Packers. He’s gotten old and slow at this point, but if he can regain some of his old quickness, he could be a solid spot starter and veteran reserve for the Falcons ailing linebacker corps.

On top of losing Weatherspoon for the season, the Falcons are missing De’Vondre Campbell and Paul Worrilow with ankle and groin injuries and could be missing Deion Jones with a calf injury. Hawk would help with the depth question that comes from the potential loss of all four linebackers for a game.

Hawk isn’t a great linebacker anymore, but at a minimum, he could be a serviceable option for a game to the point of the Falcons not having to play LaRoy Reynolds on defense. That’d be ideal for a team trying to have it’s defense not play like one of the worst in the NFL.

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