NFL News: Steven Jackson Cut By Atlanta Falcons, Vows To Prove He Still Has A ‘Warrior’s Heart’


The Atlanta Falcons released Steven Jackson on Thursday allowing the team to save money in the latest roster cuts in the National Football League, or NFL. The move will allow the Falcons to open $3.75 million in their team salary cap space and ends the two year tenure of the veteran running back with the team.

The Falcons’ official Twitter account confirmed the deal.

Jackson was originally signed by Atlanta in before the start of the 2013 regular season to a three year deal worth $12 million but was only partially guaranteed. The 31 year old had 1,250 rushing yards on 347 carries with 12 touchdowns in 17 games in two seasons for the squad. Jackson also thanked on social the Falcons organisation and his fans in Atlanta after his release.

“In terms of what we hoped to accomplish as a team on the field, my time as a Falcon was a disappointment, but I will always be grateful for how the city and franchise treated me while I was there,” Jackson wrote in his official website. “Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense. I still have a warrior's heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs. I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.”

Previously, Jackson played for the St. Louis Rams from 2004 to 2012 when he logged in over 1,000 rushing yards in eight of nine seasons. Jackson’s career-high for a season came in 2006 in his third year in the league when he had 1,528 rushing yards on 346 carries and added 806 receiving yards on 90 receptions with a total of 16 touchdowns.

Jackson joins a growing list of veteran players already cut in this 2015 NFL offseason with some players like DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson, Reggie Bush and Peyton Hillis all gone from their previous squads.

In other Atlanta Falcons news this week, the franchise signed Patrick DiMarco, Matt Bryant, Cliff Matthews and Allen Bradford to smaller deals.

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