Atlanta Falcons release Jared Ivey, Drake Jackson ahead of Week 9
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons announced on Nov. 2, 2026, that they released defensive players Jared Ivey and Drake Jackson as Week 9 begins. The team announced the moves as it prepared for its Week 9 game. Both players had been on the Falcons’ roster this season. The releases were part of the team’s roster adjustments entering Week 9.
Jared Ivey was claimed off waivers and added to the Falcons’ 53-man roster following initial cutdowns at the end of August. He appeared in seven games this season and finished with one sack, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and eight combined tackles. Ivey originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss after the 2025 NFL draft and played two games for Seattle as a rookie, logging 15 defensive snaps and 10 special teams snaps. During three seasons at Ole Miss he totaled 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks; he transferred to Ole Miss after two seasons at Georgia Tech and attended North Gwinnett High School.
Drake Jackson was signed to the Falcons’ practice squad in mid-September and was added to the 53-man roster on Oct. 24. He took reps in Atlanta’s games against the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, where he compiled 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, six sacks, nine passes defensed, one interception and nine quarterback hits. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
The departures remove two defensive players who had provided depth this season. Ivey had contributed as a rotational pass rusher and on special teams, while Jackson had been a recently elevated option after his promotion from the practice squad. The Falcons announced the roster moves on Nov. 2, 2026, as Week 9 began.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Falcons’ release of Jared Ivey and Drake Jackson represents continued roster churn as teams adjust personnel during the season. Ivey offered occasional pass-rush production and special teams value after being claimed off waivers in August. Jackson provided a veteran presence with production from his 2025 season in Washington and experience as a former second-round pick. These moves reduce depth on the Falcons’ defensive group and reflect ongoing personnel management as the regular season progresses.