{
  "id": 1720823,
  "title": "Falcons sign edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to one-year deal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/falcons-sign-edge-rusher-zadarius-smith-to-one-year-deal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T13:46:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/falcons-sign-edge-rusher-za-134658795.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their pass rush by signing 34-year-old three-time Pro Bowler Za' Darius Smith to a one-year contract. Smith joins the Falcons following the team's injuries to Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., with both players set to miss the first eight games of the season. A proponent of pass rushing throughout his 11-year career, Smith boasts 70.5 career sacks across the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions, and Eagles. Though he played only five games last season for the Eagles, he posted nine sacks in 2024. The Falcons, in need of accomplished players for their edge group, see Smith as an ideal fit. Should he remain healthy and adjust swiftly, Smith's addition will make him a key component of the rotation, with his size and established run defense contributing significantly early on. Smith will join Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, and Bralen Trice at outside linebacker, potentially leaving room for another addition before the start of Week 1.",
  "summary": "The three-time Pro Bowler joins an Atlanta team thirsting for pass rush help.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}