Matthews was signed by the Falcons on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons had an open roster spot for Matthews after releasing veteran safety Dashon Goldson, who had been plagued by a hamstring issue. Matthews was a member of the team during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 season but recorded a combined 25 total tackles in 32 games.

Matthews was released by the Buccaneers on Thursday, Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the 53-man roster deadline approaching, Tampa Bay viewed Matthews as somewhat expendable due to the team's depth at nose tackle. Matthews last played in 2014 when he was a member of the Falcons.

Falcons DE Cliff Matthews has bulked up this offseason in an effort to play both inside and outside. Matthews, a 2011 seventh-round pick, is listed at 268 pounds by the team's official website. He doesn't need to get much bigger, as the Falcons don't boast heavy defensive tackles -- starters Peria Jerry and Jonathan Babineaux weight less than 290. Atlanta drafted two defensive ends this year, so Matthews is just making himself more versatile in order to secure a roster spot.

Cliff Matthews got the majority of snaps at right end after John Abraham aggravated his ankle injury in the Divisional Round. The Falcons fully expect Abraham to suit up in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, but he could be limited to a situational pass-rushing role. That would leave Matthews, a 2011 seventh-round pick with zero career starts and six career tackles under his belt, to pick up the slack again. It's an area for the Niners to attack.

Falcons signed No. 230 overall pick DE Cliff Matthews to a four-year contract. Matthews racked up 144 total tackles, including 16.0 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss over four season at South Carolina. A borderline NFL athlete, he'll start his career on special teams.