The Atlanta Falcons have bolstered their offensive line by signing Matthew Cindric to their practice squad. This decision was made public on Tuesday, shortly after the Falcons lost offensive guard Andrew Stueber, who had been on the practice squad, to the Cincinnati Bengals. Cindric, who is 25 years old, brings valuable experience and versatility to the team’s offensive front.
Cindric played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he made a notable impact over his five-year career. He participated in 35 games and earned 34 starts, splitting his time evenly between the center and right guard positions. After redshirting in 2018, he showcased his skills from 2019 through 2023, proving himself as a reliable contributor on the Golden Bears’ offensive line.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Cindric excelled academically and was recognized multiple times for his off-field contributions. He was a four-time selection for the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll, reflecting his commitment to academics alongside athletics. Cindric was also a two-time semifinalist for prestigious awards such as the Campbell Trophy, which honors the nation’s top scholar-athlete, and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Furthermore, he received recognition for his community service efforts, being named one of 22 student-athletes to the AFCA Good Works Team in 2023.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 295 pounds, Cindric went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but quickly signed with the Minnesota Vikings afterward. His time with the Vikings saw him initially released on May 31 when the team added veteran guard Dalton Risner to their roster. However, the Vikings re-signed Cindric later on August 21. Unfortunately, he was waived again during the final roster cuts on August 26, leaving him as a free agent until his recent signing with the Falcons.
Cindric had a workout with the Falcons on Monday, and it appears he impressed the coaching staff enough to secure a place on the practice squad. He now joins another offensive lineman, center Matt Hennessy, who has already been elevated to the active roster twice this season. However, Hennessy can only be promoted one more time, making Cindric’s addition a crucial step in maintaining depth along the offensive line.
The Falcons will return to practice on Wednesday at their training facility, IBM Performance in Flowery Branch, Georgia. They are preparing for an upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, set to take place at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. With Cindric now on the practice squad, the Falcons hope to enhance their offensive line’s resilience as they navigate the remainder of the season.
