Atlanta Falcons sign former Dallas Cowboys DE and Tennessee Titans DB after tryout

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons welcomed four veterans for tryouts Friday as they began rookie minicamp and pulled the trigger on signing two of them.

Atlanta agreed to terms with defensive end Bradlee Anae and defensive back Dane Cruikshank on Saturday morning, according to ESPN. The Falcons roster now stands at 88 players and OTAs are scheduled to begin Monday.

Anae, a 6-3, 260-pound presence, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round in 2020, playing in 11 total games over two seasons. He finished his time with Team USA with two tackles and a quarterback hit to his credit.

The 26-year-old hasn’t played a single regular season game since leaving Dallas in 2021, despite being with the New York Jets for two years. In 2022, he was on the practice squad and spent last season on injured reserve.

Cruikshank offers a more proven track record, as the 6-1, 209-pounder has 54 games and four starts under his belt during his six-year NFL career.

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A fifth-round pick in 2018, Cruikshank played in 44 games with four starts over his first four years with the Tennessee Titans before leaving for the Chicago Bears once his rookie contract expired.

Cruikshank, 29, played in eight games for the Bears in 2022 before being placed on injured reserve. He signed with the Jets in free agency, but was released near the end of training camp, eventually returning to the Titans for a two-game stint.

During his career, the Chino Hills, California native recorded 66 tackles, two passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble. His best season came in 2021 as a member of the Titans, recording 43 tackles while making each of his four career starts.

The Falcons’ rookie minicamp runs through Sunday, where two more veterans — outside linebacker David Anenih and tight end Sean McKeon — will attempt to join Anae and Cruikshank on the team’s 90-man roster.