Falcons sign former Cardinals OL John Wetzel
Apr 16, 2019, 9:04 AM
Offensive lineman John Wetzel #73 of the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
Free agent offensive lineman John Wetzel, who spent his last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, signed a deal Tuesday with the Atlanta Falcons.
The 6-foot-7, 328-pound lineman brought versatility in a reserve role to Arizona from 2016-18. He played at both tackle and guard, appearing in 40 games and starting 24.
The 27-year-old went undrafted in 2013 out of Boston College.
Wetzel played on practice squads or participated in offseason camps with the Oakland Raiders (2013), Dallas Cowboys (2013-15) and Indianapolis Colts (2015) before being picked up by Arizona.
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With the Cardinals, Wetzel started in 19 games and appeared in all 32 in 2016 and 2017. Last season, he played in eight games, starting five, before his season ended prematurely due to a neck injury.
Arizona has churned its offensive line group this offseason after suffering through a long list of injuries over the past few seasons. The Cardinals signed free agent guards J.R. Sweezy and and Max Garcia, plus traded a sixth-round pick for tackle Marcus Gilbert.
The newcomers will join a returning group of players that includes tackles D.J. Humphries and Korey Cunningham, guards Justin Pugh and Jeremy Vujnovich, and centers Mason Cole and A.Q. Shipley.
