Jake Long Signs Contract with Atlanta Falcons

Four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long has signed with the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Tuesday. 

Earlier in the day, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Long was on his way to Atlanta to sign with the team.

In July, Long worked out with the Falcons and New York Giants, per NFL Network's Rand Getlin.

"Yes, somebody we still have talked about, for sure," said Falcons head coach Dan Quinn on Aug. 31, per ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure. "And a guy we have lots of regard for. Not a topic that we've discussed with him in that length. ... I'll wait to see where we're at in regard to the injuries before we move forward in that way in terms of future players."

Even with his strong on-field resume, adding Long is undoubtedly a gamble for the Falcons. He missed nine games last year after tearing an ACL, his second such injury in as many years—and in the same knee.

However, Schefter noted last Tuesday that Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgeries to repair Long's two torn ACLs, gave him the go-ahead to resume football activities. 

There's always going to be the issue of whether Long will stay healthy over the course of the 2015 season, but there's also the concern as to how well he can play after having suffered two major knee injuries.

"Although last year's first-round pick, Jake Matthews, is holding down left tackle, a healthy Long should push Ryan Schraeder on the right side," observed Chris Wesseling of NFL.com.

Given the state of the Falcons offensive line, signing Long is a smart risk at this stage of the year.