Panthers' Feleipe Franks: Signed off practice squad
Rotowire
The Panthers signed Franks to the 53-man roster from the practice squad Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Franks only played one offensive snap during Sunday's 26-3 loss to the Chargers due to starting tight end Tommy Tremble ultimately being active. With Ian Thomas (calf) on IR until early October at the earliest, and Jordan Matthews being released, Franks will get a chance to continue holding down a depth role for Carolina.
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Feleipe Franks: Going back to practice squad
Rotowire
Franks reverted to Carolina's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Franks played just one offensive snap during Sunday's 26-3 loss versus the Chargers. With Tommy Tremble presumably close to being back to full strength, it's hard to imagine Franks earning a significant share of the Panthers' tight-end snaps any time soon.
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Panthers' Feleipe Franks: Elevated to face Chargers
Rotowire
The Panthers elevated Franks from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, ahead of Sunday's matchup against Los Angeles.
Franks was cut by Carolina on Monday before being re-signed to the practice squad, and he'll now suit up for the team Week 2. With Tommy Tremble (hamstring) listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, the Panthers were in need of additional depth at the tight end position.
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Feleipe Franks: Returns to Carolina
Rotowire
Franks signed with the Panthers' practice squad Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Franks was signed to the team's active roster from their practice squad Saturday ahead of their season-opening loss to the Saints, before being waived Monday. The 26-year-old could find himself back on the active roster again for a Week 2 matchup with the Chargers if Tommy Tremble (hamstring) is still not ready to return.
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Feleipe Franks: Out in Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers waived Franks on Monday, Darin Gant of the team's official site reports.
Franks was added to Carolina's active roster Saturday to ensure depth at tight end with both Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (hamstring) missing Week 1, but he has now been let go. The Arkansas product played 17 special-teams snaps and recovered a muffed punt late in Sunday's contest.
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Panthers' Feleipe Franks: Signed to active roster
Rotowire
The Panthers signed Franks to the active roster Saturday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Franks was added to Carolina's practice squad after making the initial 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. With Ian Thomas (calf) on the IR and Tommy Tremble (hamstring) ruled out for Week 1, Franks was added to the active roster to provide the Panthers additional depth at tight end behind Ja'Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews and Messiah Swinson.
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Feleipe Franks: Added to Panthers' taxi squad
Rotowire
Carolina signed Franks to the practice squad Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Franks spent all of 2023 on the Falcons' injured reserve due to an undisclosed injury designation. He signed with the Panthers in late July to compete for a depth tight-end spot on the 53-man roster, but he ultimately came up short after finishing the preseason with three catches (on four targets) for 12 yards. Both Tommy Tremble (hamstring) and Ian Thomas (calf) are dealing with injuries ahead of Week 1, and if either of them cannot suit up, Franks is a prime candidate to get elevated to the active roster.
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Feleipe Franks: Waived by Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers waived Franks on Tuesday.
Franks spent roughly one month in Carolina. He spent 2023 on the Falcons' injured reserve list after dressing for 20 games for the team across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. The converted quarterback has been trying to make it as a tight end.
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Panthers' Feleipe Franks: Signed by Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers signed Franks on Friday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Franks had a tryout with Carolina on Monday, and he impressed the organization enough to get a contract. The 26-year-old spent the previous three seasons with Atlanta, though he was on injured reserve all of last year due to an undisclosed issue. Franks is presumably now healthy, and he'll look to make a positive impression in training camp with the aim of competing for a roster spot.
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Feleipe Franks: Gets tryout with Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers hosted Franks (undisclosed) for a tryout Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Franks spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve with Atlanta due to an undisclosed issue, but he now appears healthy. The tight end and former quarterback could assist in shoring up Carolina's depth behind Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Ian Thomas.
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Feleipe Franks: Gets cut loose
Rotowire
Franks (undisclosed) was waived by Atlanta with an injury designation Thursday.
Franks appeared in 11 games for the Falcons last season and was working to earn a depth role in the team's tight-end corps during training camp. Assuming he is able to clear waivers, he'll revert to injured reserve and be forced to miss the 2023 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Ready to go for season finale
Rotowire
Franks (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official website reports.
Franks will return to the field after a one-game absence while recovering from a concussion he suffered in Week 16 versus the Ravens. The 25-year-old has operated as a depth option at both quarterback and tight end this season while playing the majority of his snaps on special teams.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Ruled out for Week 11
Rotowire
Franks (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 11 matchup with the Bears, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official website reports.
Franks will miss a second consecutive game in Week 11 as he continues to nurse a calf issue. His absence doesn't carry much of an impact on the Falcons' offensive game plan, and he'll now set his sights on being ready for Week 12 versus the Commanders.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Earns spot on initial roster
Rotowire
Franks made the Falcons' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.
Franks transitioned to tight end this offseason and has made the team's initial 53-man roster as the No. 3 QB and No. 3 TE. He likely will only be an emergency option at quarterback, but it's possible he carves out a role as a depth tight end behind Kyle Pitts and Parker Hesse. Franks admitted learning how to block and get into a three-point stance was a struggle, but the pass-catching aspect of his new role has come naturally. As a rookie last year, the undrafted athlete out of Arkansas ran three times for six yards across 13 offensive snaps, but the Falcons could utilize him more in Year 2.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Getting reps at tight end
Rotowire
Franks was wearing a white jersey and working as a tight end instead of as a quarterback during individual periods Friday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
It's unclear whether this is a permanent move, but it would make sense after Atlanta signed Marcus Mariota in March and added Desmond Ridder in the third round of this year's draft. Franks has the size to play tight end (6-foot-6, 234 lbs.), and he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his pro day, so he's clearly not lacking for athleticism. The uber-talented 21-year-old Kyle Pitts functions more like a wide receiver than a traditional tight end, so if the move is permanent, Franks would likely compete for reps behind Anthony Firkser, who's flashed some talent of his own, in 2022.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Retakes backup role
Rotowire
Franks is active for Sunday's game against the Saints and will serve as the backup quarterback, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Franks was inactive in Week 17, likely because he was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 just one day before the game. He'll retake the backup role for the season finale, with Josh Rosen (coach's decision) instead not dressing for the matchup.
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Falcons' Feleipe Franks: Nabs roster spot
Rotowire
Franks earned a spot on the Falcons' initial 53-man roster, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The rookie UDFA out of Arkansas saw action in all three preseason contests and completed 11 of 26 passes for 128 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. Franks benefitted from the injury to AJ McCarron (knee), who suffered a season-ending injury during the second exhibition contest. Atlanta recently signed Josh Rosen and will open the season with both quarterbacks as backup options for starter Matt Ryan, barring another acquisition.
