Atlanta Falcons Sign Ben DiNucci, Cut DJ Chark in Roster Moves

The Atlanta Falcons decided Monday that veteran wide receiver DJ Chark wasn’t worth keeping around for their final preseason tune-up. Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming.

Another Veterans Gets the Axe in Roster Crunch Time

Chark’s release shouldn’t shock anyone who’s been paying attention to the Atlanta’s Falcons preseason. The 28-year-old managed a whopping one catch for 11 yards across two exhibition games. That’s not exactly the kind of production that keeps general managers up at night worrying about cutting you.

The writing was on the wall when Chark barely saw the field against Detroit and then followed it up with his single reception against Tennessee. For a guy who was fighting for his NFL life, that’s about as underwhelming as it gets.

From Promise to Practice Squad Purgatory

Remember when Chark was supposed to be something special? The Jacksonville Jaguars sure thought so when they spent a second-round pick on him back in 2018. Fast forward seven years, and he’s getting pink-slipped by a Falcons team desperate for receiving help.

His career numbers look decent on paper: 216 catches, 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns across 76 games. However, here’s the thing about NFL math. Those stats are spread across stints with four different teams. When you’re bouncing around the league like a pinball, it usually means you’re not quite good enough to stick anywhere.

The Jaguars gave up on him. Detroit didn’t want him long-term. Carolina and the Chargers treated him like a rental car. Now Atlanta’s saying “thanks, but no thanks” after giving him every opportunity to prove he belonged.

Ben DiNucci Gets His Shot While Emory Jones Nurses Injuries

In a corresponding move that tells you everything about where the Falcons’ priorities lie, they signed quarterback Ben DiNucci to fill Chark’s roster spot. Yes, the same Ben DiNucci who completed 23 passes in three years with Dallas and has been bouncing around practice squads like he’s collecting frequent flyer miles.

The team also waived quarterback Emory Jones with an injury designation after he took a nasty hit against the Titans. Jones left that game early with what looked like a concussion, and apparently his audition ended right there on the turf.

What This Means for the Falcons Receiving Corps

Chark’s departure leaves the Falcons exactly where they were before he arrived: still looking for reliable depth behind their established starters. The team clearly wasn’t impressed with what they saw from a player who was supposed to bring veteran leadership and proven production.

This move screams “we’d rather take a flyer on an unknown commodity than keep a known disappointment around.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of Chark’s training camp performance.

The Harsh Reality of Preseason Politics

Here’s the brutal truth about NFL roster construction: past accomplishments mean absolutely nothing if you can’t produce when the lights are on. Chark had over 1,000 receiving yards just three seasons ago, but that might as well have happened in another lifetime.

The Falcons gave him a legitimate shot to prove he still had something left in the tank. Two preseason games, minimal impact, and now he’s updating his LinkedIn profile. That’s how quickly careers can change direction in this league.

With Friday’s finale against Dallas looming, Atlanta clearly decided they’d rather see what other players can do with Chark’s snaps. Sometimes the most telling roster moves are the ones that barely register as news.