Sometimes gambles pay off in sports, and other times, they don't. The Atlanta Falcons gambled on Lofa Tatupu after he missed the entire 2011 season because of injury, and this gamble is not going to pay off for the Falcons.
In fact, the Falcons are already cutting their losses already after the news that Tatupu would be out for the 2012 season with a torn pectoral.
Per Pro Football Talk, the Falcons are set to cut Tatupu.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Falcons are planning to release the injured linebacker with an injury settlement, since he was going to be out for the season with a pectoral injury.
They signed him to a two-year deal this offseason, with $600,000 guaranteed, and roster bonuses for games played. The Falcons would have been on the hook for his $750,000 base salary if he was placed on injured reserve.
It's unfortunate for all parties involved, especially Tatupu, who might have seen his NFL career just come to a close. Tatupu will be two years removed from having played in the NFL, and he won't be an attractive free agent as a consequence next offseason.
For more on the Falcons, check out The Falcoholic.
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