Falcons trade LB Akeem Dent to Texans for QB T.J. Yates

FLOWERT BRANCH -- The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have traded linebacker Akeem Dent to the Houston Texans in exchange for quarterback T.J. Yates. The club has also agreed to terms with free agent linebacker Tim Dobbins.<br /> <br /> Yates, 6-4, 217 pounds, was originally selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He completed 101 of 166 passes (60.8 percent) for 1,100 yards with three touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 71.4 quarterback rating in 13 career games with Houston. Yates played in six games as a rookie in 2011, including five starts, leading the Texans to a 3-3 record after throwing for 949 yards on 82 of 134 passing (61.2 percent) with three touchdowns, three interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating. He led a pair of 80-yard touchdown drives and threw for 300 yards with a pair of scores in Week 14 of the 2011 season, earning him AFC Player of the Week honors and clinching the AFC South Division title for Houston. He played in four games in 2012 and saw action in three games in 2013 as a backup.<br /> <br /> The Marietta, Georgia native threw for 9,377 yards and 58 touchdowns while setting 37 school records during his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina. He attended Pope High School in Marietta, where he earned first-team all-region and first-team all-area honors after completing 160 of 289 passes (57 percent) for 2,305 yards, and 17 touchdowns as a senior.<br /> <br /> Dobbins, 6-1, 234 pounds, was originally selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He has played in 110 games with 22 starts while totaling 253 tackles (195 solo) with three interceptions, two sacks, and 12 passes defensed. Last season, Dobbins played in three games as a reserve linebacker. In three seasons with the Texans (2011-13), he played in 32 games with six starts and totaled 55 tackles with one interception and four passes defensed.<br /> <br /> Dobbins spent his first four seasons in San Diego where he played in 62 games with 10 starts. In 2008, he registered career highs with 78 tackles (42 solo), one interception, and three forced fumbles. Dobbins spent the 2010 season with the Miami Dolphins where he played in 16 games with six starts and finished the year with 43 total tackles. The Nashville, Tennessee native earned All-Big 12 honors during his senior season at Iowa State.<br /> <br /> Dent, 6-1, 239 pounds, was originally selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (91st overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in 47 games with 20 starts totaling 130 tackles (87 solo), with 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes defensed in three seasons in Atlanta.

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