Dahl joins Falcons active roster

In a surprise move Monday afternoon, the Atlanta Falcons picked up Fallon's Harvey Dahl from the San Francisco 49ers practice football squad to play on their active roster, Dahl's agent confirmed Tuesday.

LVN first reported the transaction on its Web site Monday afternoon.

Dahl had been with the 49ers for three years and was on the practice squad this season.

"He's very excited," said Jim Grogan, Dahl's Reno-based agent. "Harvey definitely enjoyed his time in San Francisco, but he was afforded an opportunity to be on an active roster. They (San Francisco) have been great, and they were a huge part to his development. It was a positive experience."

Grogan said injuries have hurt the Falcons' offensive line, and Dahl should be suited up and ready to play on Sunday.

Grogan said Atlanta triggered the deal.

"They considered Harvey to be the No. 1 guy available," Grogan said.

Dahl signed a two-year contract Tuesday that will pay him the league minimum of $350,000 this year and $425,000 next year.

Once Dahl learned of the news, Grogan said Dahl assembled his belongings and flew out of San Francisco Monday night at 10 p.m. He arrived in Atlanta Tuesday at 5 a.m.

Grogan said Dahl had a busy day in Atlanta on Tuesday finalizing his contract and meeting coaches. He was expected to take a physical.

"He'll be suited up for practice on Wednesday," Grogan said.

Attempts to reach Dahl and the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Jason Jenkins, the 49ers assistant director of media relations, said when a player is on a team's practice squad, another team can sign that player to an active roster.

Dahl, who graduated from the University of Nevada in December 2004, originally signed as a free agent with Dallas, but the Cowboys released the lineman in June 2005. San Francisco then sighed Dahl, but he was one of the last cuts from the team. The 49ers, though, then signed Dahl to the practice squad, but he was placed on the active roster for the season's final two games.

Dahl earned a spot in 2006 as the third-string offensive tackle. He suited up for eight games. After training camp, the 49ers awarded Dahl the Thomas Herrion award, named after a rookie on the 2005 team who died after an exhibition game.

When the award was presented to Dahl, the 49ers said the Nevada product played with Herrion in his memory, even though Dahl struggled with his own personal problems after his father was seriously injured in a small-plane crash.

Based on the past two seasons, Grogan said Dahl had a "great" camp with the 49ers, but with the acquisition of No. 1 draft choice Joe Staley of Central Michigan, Dahl's value to remain on the active roster diminished. The 49ers cut Dahl before the season but re-signed him to the practice squad.