The Atlanta Falcons are kicking the tires on a former standout wide receiver.
Atlanta is signing veteran wideout DJ Chark to a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Friday. Chark had also visited with the Chicago Bears earlier this week but has now landed with the Falcons.
At 28 years old, Chark was a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 61 overall). He went on to make a Pro Bowl team in 2019 on the strength of 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Chark then left to sign with the Detroit Lions before the 2022 season and also later ended up with the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers. For the Chargers in 2024, Chark appeared in just seven games, catching four passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
The ex-LSU star Chark has yet to recover his previous form after suffering a fractured ankle that ended his 2021 season prematurely (video here). He also spent time on injured reserve in 2022 with an injury to the same ankle.
For the Falcons, an 8-9 team last season, they could use a little more depth at receiver right now, especially with Darnell Mooney suffering a shoulder injury this week that is expected to cost him most of training camp. Atlanta did add a few new wideouts this offseason, including fellow ex-Pro Bowler Jamal Agnew. Thus, Chark will probably be facing some competition for touches, particularly once the Falcons are fully healthy again.
