Atlanta Falcons linebacker Matt Hansen was waived on Friday, the team announced.
Hansen was injured on June 27, shortly after minicamp concluded. He ruptured his patellar tendon while training and underwent surgery two days after the injury. He’ll require four to six months of rest and rehabilitation.
Hansen, 6-1, 230 pounds, was originally signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on July 26, 2011. He was cut as the team trimmed its roster during training camp but then added to the Falcons practice squad on December 28, 2011.
It was then that Hansen made the switch to linebacker from safety.
Through offseason workouts—rookie minicamp, Organized Team Activities and minicamp—Hansen shined in an effort to not only stick with the team in 2012, but make the active roster, Hansen’s goal for the season.
Had the injury not derailed Hansen he would have had a good shot at doing just that, both helping on special teams and as depth at linebacker.
Hansen is now on waivers and any team in the NFL can sign him until Monday. If he remains unsigned through Monday, he’ll revert back to Atlanta’s roster and land on the Falcons’ injured reserve list.
Hansen will begin work on rehabbing his knee back home in Rhode Island, according to his agent.
