The Falcons released Fusco (ankle) on Monday under the failed physical designation, freelance NFL writer Howard Balzer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco started seven games in Atlanta last season before landing on injured reserve due to a broken ankle, and the same injury now appears to be to blame for the Fusco being cut by the team. The 30-year-old guard will face a difficult offseason of recovery before searching for a role elsewhere in the league.

Fusco (ankle) is still in a walking boot Monday but expects to return for the 2019 season, Jason Butt of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco suffered a broken ankle during an Oct. 22 matchup against the Giants, which he considered to be the most serious injury of his career. The 30-year-old will face a difficult offseason of recovery, but appears on track to retake the field in 2019. "I don't think they've put a pinpoint on when I'll be back," Fusco said, "but I'll definitely be back for next season."

Fusco (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco had already been declared out for the season, but his placement Wednesday made it official. The 30-year-old was the second offensive lineman in Atlanta to suffer a season-ending injury, which prompted the team to sign offensive linemen Austin Pasztor and Rees Odhiambo.

Fusco (ankle) is out for the season with a broken ankle, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco started all seven games for the Falcons this season and didn't even miss a single snap entering Monday's game, in which Fusco went down in the second quarter and was replaced by Ben Garland. Look for Atlanta to move the veteran to injured reserve sooner than later.

Fusco (ankle) will not return to Monday's game against Atlanta, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons appear to be approaching this situation with a fair amount caution unwilling to risk losing Fusco for a longer period of time than necessary. Zac Kerin figures to be the right guard during Fusco's temporary absence.

Fusco is questionable to return to Monday's game against New York with an ankle injury, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear as to how serious Fusco's ankle issue is at the moment. Whether he's able to return to the contest will likely hinge on the decision of the medical staff. We'll likely garner a more clear understanding of his status following the contest. In the meantime, Zac Kerin appears to be the next man up.

Head coach Dan Quinn announced Tuesday that Fusco will begin the season as the Falcons' starting right guard, Kelsey Conway of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

A summer of high-fueled competition with the incumbent Wes Schweitzer culminates in Fusco earning the nod to become Atlanta's No. 1 option at right guard, where he has started in 46 of a possible 48 games over the past three seasons with San Francisco and Minnesota. Though it's his first year with the team, Fusco entered training camp in an advantageous position due to familiarity in a Kyle Shanahan-led 49ers' offense that mimics many of the blocking schemes that Atlanta currently deploys. With Fusco stepping in as the starter at right guard, Wes Schweitzer will move to swing guard and backup center, according to comments from head coach Dan Quinn following Tuesday's practice.

Fusco is the favorite to be named Atlanta's starting right guard for the start of the regular season, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco was the first man up at right guard in Atlanta's game against Kansas City on Friday, after Wes Schweitzer got the nod in the preseason opener against the Jets last week. While head coach didn't go so far as to outright declare Fusco as the starter for the season, he did say that the seven-year veteran "earned the right to be the starter again" in the Falcons' third preseason game against the Jaguars on Saturday.

Fusco worked out with the first-team offensive line during Falcons OTAs on Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

As right guard Wes Schweitzer continues to rebound from an undisclosed injury, Fusco is building momentum in his bid to earn a starting role for Atlanta. Among Falcons offensive linemen, Fusco ranks second behind Andy Levitre (141) and Alex Mack (133) with 80 career regular-season starts. If Fusco's contract is any indication of the team's plan for him, it's highly probable that he will get the nod over Schweitzer at guard given the fact that he is making roughly six times more in annual guaranteed money.

Fusco agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth $12.75 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fusco becomes the Falcons' first external acquisition of the 2018 offseason, bringing with him a sound familiarity of the team's run scheme due to his time playing under former Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The 29-year-old offensive guard played his first six NFL seasons in Minnesota before being signed by San Francisco last May, and he has missed only two starts over the past three seasons due to injury. Fusco is an injury-resistant player who possesses respectable run-blocking abilities, as 49ers backs averaged 3.9 yards per carry on runs behind him last season.