FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons have released a pair of defensive starters in longtime safety William Moore and linebacker Justin Durant.
Moore was a second-round pick in 2009 out of Missouri and one of the senior members of the team. He played in 76 games with 72 starts during seven seasons, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
But the hard-hitting Moore was plagued by injuries, playing all 16 games only twice in his career. This past year, he went on injured reserve in December with an ankle problem.
Durant was one of Atlanta's biggest free-agent signings a year ago, brought in with the hope of adding big-play capability to the defense.