FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons released veteran wide receiver Tony Martin on Wednesday and signed rookie Shawn Mills off the practice squad.
``We don't have any plans for Tony for next year,'' coach Dan Reeves said. ``Shawn Jefferson will be the one who will get more playing time, and we'll try to get Quentin McCord in the game and see how he does.''
The Falcons (7-8) have lost four of their last five. They end the season Sunday at NFC West champion St. Louis (13-2).
Martin, a 13-year veteran who helped the Falcons make their only trip to the Super Bowl in 1998, re-signed with the team in June after spending two years with the Miami Dolphins.
He leads Atlanta with 548 yards receiving, despite missing four games with a broken collarbone. The 36-year-old ranked third on the Falcons with 37 catches and was tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions.
Martin rejoined Atlanta after getting a contract offer from Seattle coach Mike Holmgren. Tampa Bay, Washington and the New York Jets also pursued Martin.
Martin has 593 career receptions for 9,065 yards and 56 touchdowns.
Mills joined the Falcons as a rookie free agent out of Southern Mississippi in April and was signed to the practice squad Oct. 2 when the team released Eugene Baker.
Wednesday
February 5th, 2025
3:01AM
