Veteran safety Dashon Goldson is trying to find a home before the 2016 NFL season begins next month.
Continue for updates.
Falcons Considering Goldson
Saturday, Aug. 27
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and confirmed by ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure, Goldson visited the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. McClure noted that Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said on a conference call that Goldson had a good workout. McClure continued:
The Falcons say Dashon Goldson is talking to other teams and knows what his role with the Falcons would be. Rookie Keanu Neal will miss a couple games after Monday knee surgery so Falcons need depth at strong safety. Dan Quinn said Goldson won't be a starter. Healthy Kemal Ishmael would be starter in place of Neal over Goldson if Goldson signs. Apparently not about money but about role for Goldson, so he'd have to accept being a backup.
The Falcons suddenly find themselves in need of help in the secondary after the team announced rookie Keanu Neal is expected to miss three to four weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery.
Neal was injured during Atlanta's preseason game while trying to tackle Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster on Thursday.
Kemal Ishmael is also battling a shoulder injury he suffered during the Falcons' first preseason game on Aug. 11. He sat out the game against Miami this week, leaving the team short-handed at safety with just two weeks before the regular season begins.
Goldson Would be Dependable Signing
Goldson played in Washington last season after being traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started 15 games and recorded one interception before the team released him in March. Pro Football Focus rated him as the NFL's worst safety in 2015.
The 31-year-old Goldson is a two-time Pro Bowler and was named to the All-Pro First Team in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers. He no longer has that kind of upside, but a team in desperate need of help in its secondary can use a stable veteran presence to help it stay afloat for a short time.
