"The Falcons reached an agreement on a one-year contract with safety James Sanders, according to his agent. The sides agreed to terms late Tuesday after Sanders worked out for the team earlier in the day.

An official announcement of a signing has not been made. The Falcons must release a player from their 80-man roster. The team made no roster move Wednesday, a day before hosting the Ravens in its exhibition-season finale.

Sanders, a fourth-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2005, was released earlier this week. In six seasons with the Patriots, Sanders had 301 tackles and eight interceptions in 84 regular-season games, including 50 starts. He can also play free safety.

Sanders was scheduled to make $2.8 million with New England.

Salary-cap relief?

The Falcons, who took a $6.4 million salary-cap hit during the 2009 season after releasing quarterback Michael Vick in June of that year, may receive some relief from the league."