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Atlanta Falcons boost cornerback depth by signing XFL player

AP photo by Matt Rourke / Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josh Hawkins returns an interception during an NFL preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Hawkins played this year for the XFL's Dallas Renegades. AP photo by Matt Rourke / Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josh Hawkins returns an interception during an NFL preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Hawkins played this year for the XFL's Dallas Renegades.

By The Associated Press April 15, 2020 1 min read

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons have boosted their cornerback depth by agreeing to a deal with Josh Hawkins, who played in 32 games with three NFL teams before spending the 2020 season in the XFL with the Dallas Renegades.

Hawkins played with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He played in 15 games, including three starts, in 2017.

Hawkins had stints with the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Overall, he has 43 tackles and seven passes defensed in the NFL.

He had two interceptions in five games with the Renegades this year.

The Falcons, who released starter Desmond Trufant before the NFL’s new business year began and free agency opened, are expected to look for help at cornerback during next week’s NFL draft.