The Atlanta Falcons turned to the USFL in a bid to bolster their defense.
The Falcons announced Sunday that they signed Michigan Panthers linebacker Frank Ginda, who is the USFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Atlanta also released linebacker Mykal Walker, who started 12 games in 2022.
Ginda, 26, has served as a team captain of the Panthers for the past two seasons. He totaled a USFL-best 104 tackles and had three interceptions and a sack last season.
Ginda has yet to play in an NFL game despite spending time with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints. He also competed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football and the New York Guardians of the XFL.
Ginda went undrafted out of San Jose State in 2018.
Walker, 25, had 107 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games last season. He played in 49 games (20 starts) over three seasons with Atlanta and had 187 stops and three interceptions.
“I can’t thank the Atlanta Falcons enough been a hell of a 3 years,” Walker said on Instagram. “Allowed me to achieve my dreams, I’ve meet brothers for life, and brought my son into this world. My journey is far from over excited for what comes next!”
Walker was a fourth-round pick out of Fresno State in 2020.
–Field Level Media
