Falcons Suddenly Terminate Contract of 6-Year NFL Veteran

The Atlanta Falcons have terminated the contract of defensive back Darren Hall, releasing him from injured reserve with an injury settlement just days before the start of the regular season, via the NFL transaction log.

Hall, 26, returned to the team that drafted him when he signed a one-year deal in May 2026. Atlanta selected the San Diego State product in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent his first two professional seasons with the Falcons, appearing in 31 games with 10 starts.

As a rookie, he played 14 games and recorded 27 tackles, one sack and three passes defensed. In 2022 he played all 17 games, started nine, and finished with 45 tackles, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Falcons waived Hall in August 2023. He spent 2023 on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad and then bounced between the Colts and Arizona Cardinals.

With the Cardinals, he appeared in 17 games over two seasons, including 13 games and two starts in 2025. Career totals through 2025 stand at 48 games, 12 starts, 94 tackles, six passes defensed, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Atlanta brought Hall back as veteran depth who could play both corner and safety. He was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury on August 29 as the team trimmed its roster to 53 players.

Releasing him from IR with a settlement now allows Hall to sign with another club once healthy.

The move is a quiet end to a brief second stint in Atlanta. Hall has been in the NFL since 2021 and has shown the ability to contribute as a rotational defensive back and special-teams player.

At six feet tall and about 190 pounds, he offers experience and versatility that could appeal to teams looking for secondary depth later in the season.

For the Falcons, the release creates a small amount of roster and cap flexibility heading into Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hall will look to recover from the injury and continue a career that has already taken him to three organizations.

His path from mid-round draft pick to journeyman veteran is a familiar one in the NFL, and another opportunity is likely once he is medically cleared.