FLOWERY BRANCH - The Atlanta Falcons have exposed starting quarterback Chris Chandler, injured running back Jamal Anderson and three other players in the NFL expansion draft.
The Falcons' list, which was released Wednesday, also includes free safety Ronnie Bradford, tight end Derek Rackley and running back Rodney Thomas.
Each of the 27 teams eliminated from the NFL playoffs had until Tuesday to submit five unprotected players. The Houston Texans will choose from the list in an expansion draft Feb. 18.
Chandler and Anderson, both former Pro Bowl players, were key members of the 1998 Falcons team that went to the Super Bowl, but have high salaries and histories of injuries.
Anderson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 1999, and finally appeared to be back in form early this year. On Sept. 30, he went down with the same injury to the other knee. He is scheduled to be paid $5 million next year with a $1 million bonus.
Chandler, entering his 15th NFL season, has been hampered by various injuries the past three seasons. His contract will cost the Falcons $8.5 million against the 2002 salary cap.
Once a team has a player selected in the expansion draft, it can remove a player from the unprotected list. After a second player is selected, that team can pull back both of its remaining players.
Bradford, a 10-year veteran who signed with the Falcons in 1997, started 14 games at free safety this season and had 80 tackles.
Thomas, an eight-year veteran, was a backup running back behind Anderson and Maurice Smith.
Rackley, in his second NFL season, was used mainly as the long snapper on punts and kicks, but he played tight end Dec. 30 against Miami and caught a touchdown pass the first reception of his NFL career.
Thursday
July 24th, 2025
2:08AM
