Flowery Branch, GA -- (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Falcons waived injured linebacker Robert James on Tuesday.

Selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (138th overall) of last April's draft, James started 19 of 42 games in his collegiate career at Arizona State, totaling 174 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, eight passes defensed and five interceptions.

Atlanta opens its 2008 preseason schedule Saturday at Jacksonville.