Falcons activate Joe Hawley, place Kevin Cone on IR

The Atlanta Falcons activated center Joe Hawley from the Reserve-Commissioner Exemption list, according to Jay Adams. To make room for Hawley, Atlanta has placed wide receiver Kevin Cone in injured reserve.

Hawley has been with Atlanta since the Falcons selected the center in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of UNLV. Hawley has served mainly as a reserve this season, playing in six games. Last year, the 6'3, 302-pound lineman played in all 16 games for Atlanta, he and made 12 starts.

While the Falcons' pass protection has been strong this season (26 sacks allowed), Michael Turner has struggled to repeat his excellent rushing production. In 2011, Turner averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but that number is down to 3.6 in 2012.

The Falcons cleared space for Hawley by ending the season of Kevin Cone, who played primarily on special teams this season. The wideout played in 12 games and was targeted for one pass.