94 Adrian Clayborn DE

Clayborn is rejoining the Falcons on a one-year contract worth up to $4 million, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.

Clayborn previously played for Atlanta from 2015 to 2017, notching a career-high 9.5 sacks in his third season with the team. He then signed a two-year, $10 million contract with New England last offseason, but he was released in March after managing just 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 14 games. Clayborn will turn 31 in July and should be a key part of Atlanta's defensive line rotation in 2019.

Clayborn announced on Twitter that he's been granted his release from the Patriots.

The way Clayborn phrased his tweet suggested it was his decision to move on. Regardless, he'll now take his new Super Bowl ring and bolt elsewhere, clearing roughly $6 million in cap space for New England.

Clayborn (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bills, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

Clayborn has seen his snap counts decrease in recent weeks and doesn't have a sack in the last five games. The Patriots two healthy reserve defensive end, Deatrich Wise and Ufomba Kamalu should both see an uptick in usage in this outing.

Clayborn recorded three tackles (two solo) and 0.5 sacks in Sunday's win over the Packers.

Clayborn plays a rotational role on the defensive line but now has 2.5 sacks across the past three games. The run-stuffing defensive end doesn't stuff the stat sheet by any means, as he has 10 tackles across nine games this season.

Clayborn recorded two tackles (both solo), including a sack, in Sunday's win over the Bears.

Clayborn's sack was his first of the season. He saw the field on 40 percent of New England's defensive snaps. Due to what has mostly been pedestrian production, he hasn't warranted much consideration as an IDP this season. He'll look to maintain his strong play from Sunday into Week 8 when the Patriots head to Buffalo to take on the Bills.