FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Linebacker Troy Andersen, a second-round draft pick in 2022 once viewed as a rising star in Atlanta's defense, was released by the Falcons on Friday.
The Falcons signed wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson.
Shoulder, knee and other injuries prevented Andersen from staying on the field after he made a strong first impression with his sideline-to-sideline speed.
Andersen played in only two games in 2023 before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He was limited to seven games, including four starts, by a knee injury in 2024 after he again flashed his big-play potential by scoring on a 47-yard interception return in a win over New Orleans. He did not play in 2025 and began the current training camp on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list.
The versatile Andersen starred at Montana State, playing linebacker, quarterback and running back.
The release of Andersen is the second hit to the team's depth at linebacker this week.
The Falcons announced Wednesday linebacker and edge rusher Jalon Walker, a first-round pick in 2025, will miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Walker was carted off the field at training camp on Tuesday after going down following a pass-rush play.
“Injuries are the worst part of our game. Nobody likes them,” first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday. “I don’t like them. Players don’t like them, but we also recognize that they are part of the game. To see Jalon go down is disappointing and frustrating for him, but I know what he’s made of. He will bounce back. He’s got the right attitude. Disappointed, but he’ll be back.”
Wilkerson, 29, has six catches for 60 yards, including three touchdowns, in four seasons with New England and Las Vegas.
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski speaks during an NFL training camp, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Flowery Branch , Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) works out during an NFL training camp, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski watches the team work out during an NFL training camp, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
RICHFIELD, Utah (AP) — A helicopter helping battle a large Utah wildfire crashed Friday with no word on the conditions of the two people aboard as officials said they couldn't immediately reach the crash site.
The helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah that was caused by lightning on July 27. It crashed near Richfield, which is about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
Conditions were good enough for aircraft to fly when the helicopter crashed, said Tyler Hecht with the Great Basin Incident Management Team, at an afternoon press conference.
The helicopter had been working in an area with steep terrain and when it crashed, it ignited another fire. Response teams had not been able to get to the scene of the accident by Friday evening because of the flames, but hoped to get there in the next 24 hours, officials said.
It was unknown if fire had overrun the crash scene, Hecht said.
Firefighting efforts were paused after the accident but later resumed, they said.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate, but they may not be able to safely reach the scene immediately if the wildfire is burning nearby.
Fire crews were warned Friday morning that there would be erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures as well as the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red flag warnings were in effect.
The fire on the Fishlake National Forest near small community of Kanosh, Utah had grown to 165 square miles (427 square kilometers) and was 19% contained by Friday morning. More than 600 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze, which has triggered evacuations and destroyed at least six structures as it burns through timber, brush and grass.
Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds have contributed to blazes in Utah and other parts of the West.
Four firefighters were killed and a fifth was injured after they were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire in Colorado in June. The firefighters tried to shield themselves by deploying tentlike emergency shelters as flames overran their position.
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, shows the Widemouth 2 wildfire burning near Richfield, Utah. (U.S. Forest Service/Fishlake National Forest via AP)
