Falcons sign veteran safety and center

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons signed safety Ronnie Harrison and center Jake Hanson, the team announced Sunday. In turn, the Falcons released offensive lineman Michael Gonzalez and placed safety Grayland Arnold on the reserve/injured list.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the Harrison signing Saturday.

Harrison has been in the NFL since 2018, when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the third round from the University of Alabama. He spent two years with the Jaguars before three with the Cleveland Browns. In 2023, he then joined the Indianapolis Colts and stayed there for two seasons.

Through seven seasons, Harrison has played in 84 games, starting 48. He has totaled 245 tackles, averaging 35 per season, with 6.5 sacks. He has also made seven interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and 25 pass breakups.

Harrison played in 10 games for the Colts last year, made two tackles and forced a fumble.

The Falcons' safety room is already rather packed with training camp underway in Atlanta. Jessie Bates III is a returning starter, while the spot opposite him is up for grabs. Competition there is pretty steep with veteran Jordan Fuller, rookie Xavier Watts and third-year DeMarcco Hellams.

It should be noted that Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie's time in Indianapolis overlapped with Harrison in 2023, though the two worked in different position groups.

Hanson, meanwhile, comes to Atlanta after back-to-back seasons with the New York Jets. The Green Bay Packers drafted Hanson in 2020 with a sixth-round pick from the University of Oregon. He made his debut in 2021 and has since appeared in every season. In total, Hanson has played in 30 games, starting seven.

Hanson played in 12 games and started two for the Jets last season. He took 103 offensive snaps (14% of the team's total) and 45 special teams snaps (14%).

Hanson adds depth to a center group that primarily features starter Ryan Neuzil and backup Jovaughn Gwyn. The Falcons otherwise listed rookie Joshua Gray as a reserve on their first unofficial depth chart.

Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's time in New York overlapped with Hanson from 2023-24, including when he served as interim head coach last season. Falcons secondary coach Justin Hood (2021-22) and assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray (2020-22) were with the Packers at the same time as Hanson.

These moves come days after the Falcons' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. The game was suspended in the fourth quarter with Atlanta trailing 17-10 due to Lions safety Morice Norris sustaining a severe injury that required an ambulance.

Atlanta's next open practice is scheduled for Monday, and the Falcons will then have back-to-back joint practices against the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday before their second preseason game Friday at 7 p.m. ET.