Toone made most of his chance

Wide receiver Tim Toone made the Falcons roster after being on practice squads with the Lions, Bills and Broncos. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Vivlamore reporting from Flowery Branch.

Tim Toone knew he was running out of chances.

The wide receiver has been trying to land a roster spot with an NFL team since he was selected with the final pick of the 2010 draft by the Lions. He’s no Mr. Irrelevant any longer.

After bouncing around on the practice squads of the Lions, Bills and Broncos, Toone earned one of five wide receiver spots on the Falcons 53-man roster with his training camp performance. The Broncos waived him on April 30^th and he was invited to try out with the Falcons on July 25^th, the day before the start of training camp. He has come a long way after playing at Weber State.

“It’s been an interesting journey being released and at home for a couple of months thinking my career was over and moving on,” Toone said. “…This was probably my last year. It was the last year I could have been on practice squad. So, I just figured it was probably going to be my last preseason for sure. So I just went out and no worry about stuff and do what I know I could do.”

Toone said he was excited to make the team because it was a new sensation. “I kept getting cut,” he said. The Falcons kept only five wide receivers, choosing to keep an extra offensive lineman, making him an even greater long shot. The Falcons signed two wide receivers, Marcus Jackson and Drew Davis, to the practice squad.

Toone (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Dominique Davis against the Dolphins in the third exhibition game. He also returned punts during the preseason, something he may do during the regular season.

“I don’t know if there was any one thing that locked it,” Toone said of securing a spot. “I had a touchdown catch one game but no catches another game. I go out there and try to work as hard as I can and do what I’m capable of doing. If the team likes that, great. If not, you get released. My thing is to do everything I can and it’s up to them to make the decisions.”

- Chris Vivalmore

THE LATEST NEWS

Meet long snapper Josh Harris

General manager Thomas Dimitroff discusses the 53-man roster

Practice report: Snelling, Owens return from injury

Smith won’t say who won their “open competitions” at RG, CB and Returner

Q and A with defensive coordiantor Mike Nolan

Falcons round out their practice squad

Falcons trim down to 53-man roster; Adkins, Franks, Meier and Zelenka cut

Falcons quotes after the 24-14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Here’s a look at who’s on the bubble

Backup quarterback Luke McCown signed, Chris Redman released

Harry Douglas not the forgotten man in the Falcons offense

Corey Peters to be evaluated after six weeks

Falcons waive Parker Wilson, place Peters on injured list

5 things to look for from the starters vs. the Dolphins

Should the Falcons trade with Jax/London Jags for MJD?

Falcons third-round pick Lamar Holmes set to make his debut vs. Dolphins

Coordinators hand out their exhibition mid-term reports; backups need to step it up

Running back Michael Turner still a weapon

Falcons thin at left tackle after Will Svitek goes down; out for season

Falcons finally get fiesty in practice; a couple of fights breakout

Akeem Dent returns to practice; will play against Miami

Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.