The Atlanta Falcons on Friday announced that they released linebacker Troy Andersen, a former Montana State standout and 2022 second-round draft pick.
Andersen appeared in 26 games with the Falcons, making 11 starts. But a knee injury plagued him in the past two years, and he hadn't appeared in a game since Dec. 8, 2024.
He spent all of last season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and began training camp this year with that designation, as well.
With the Falcons, Andersen totaled 47 tackles (28 solo) with one interception. His performance in a Sept. 29, 2024 game against New Orleans earned him NFC defensive player of the week honors when he made 17 tackles and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons won that game 26-24.
But that was also the game in which Andersen suffered his knee injury. He was inactive for the next five weeks, and only played three more games for the remainder of that season.
According to a story on the Falcons website, Andersen's contract was restructured during this offseason.
Andersen was the No. 58 overall pick in the 2022 draft. At Montana State, the Dillon native starred from 2017-21 as a linebacker, quarterback and running back. He was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2021, which is given to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
