Instead of a couple big, abrupt cuts, the NFL has teams trimming five players off their roster after the first two weeks of this shortened preseason and then making one drastic 27 man reduction to get down to a “final” 53 man roster. As it stands today, the Falcons have to make five cuts before 4 p.m. Tuesday to get to an 80 man roster ahead of next Sunday’s preseason finale against the Browns.
If McCarron is unfortunately going to miss significant time, moving him to injured reserve will free up a roster spot...that the team is widely expected to immediately re-fill with a veteran quarterback.