The Atlanta Falcons have added two veterans to their roster, signing safety Ronnie Harrison and center Jake Hanson. The team announced the moves on Sunday. In corresponding transactions, offensive lineman Michael Gonzalez was released and safety Grayland Arnold was placed on the reserve/injured list.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the Harrison signing Saturday.
Harrison, a third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 out of Alabama, has played seven seasons in the NFL. He spent two years with Jacksonville before joining the Cleveland Browns for three seasons. Most recently, he played two years with the Indianapolis Colts. Over his career, Harrison has appeared in 84 games with 48 starts, recording 245 tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), and 25 pass breakups. Last season with Indianapolis, he played in 10 games, making two tackles and forcing a fumble.
With training camp underway in Atlanta, competition at safety remains strong. Jessie Bates III returns as a starter while other candidates for the second starting spot include veteran Jordan Fuller, rookie Xavier Watts, and third-year player DeMarcco Hellams.
Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie worked for Indianapolis during Harrison’s time there in 2023.
Jake Hanson joins Atlanta after spending the past two seasons with the New York Jets. Originally drafted by Green Bay in 2020 from Oregon, Hanson made his debut in 2021 and has played every season since then. He has appeared in 30 games overall with seven starts. Last year for the Jets he played in 12 games (starting two), logging 103 offensive snaps and contributing on special teams as well.
Hanson will provide depth behind starting center Ryan Neuzil and backup Jovaughn Gwyn; rookie Joshua Gray is also listed as a reserve on Atlanta’s initial depth chart.
Several members of Atlanta’s coaching staff have previously worked with Hanson: defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich overlapped with him at the Jets from 2023-24—including serving as interim head coach last season—while secondary coach Justin Hood (2021-22) and assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray (2020-22) were at Green Bay during Hanson’s tenure there.
These roster changes follow Atlanta’s preseason opener against Detroit being suspended late due to an injury to Lions safety Morice Norris that required medical attention on the field.
The Falcons’ next open practice is set for Monday. Joint practices against Tennessee are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of their second preseason game Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
