Rashad

Moore

He won’t return to the team until next week because of a family matter

The rotation player was recovering from a shoulder injury.

Moore has experience as a nose tackle, a position New England has been working to upgrade at for depth concerns. Smith would play end in a 3-4.

Moore, who was with the team until final cuts in camp, will backup Vince Wilfork at nose tackle. He will provide depth and rest on the defensive line after the season-ending injury to previous backup Mike Wright last week.

Pollard should be very close to retirement.

Interesting that both have extensive experience in 3-4 systems. While coach Mike Smith and GM Thomas Dimitroff have indicated that Atlanta will use a 4-3 this year, Dimitroff’s background is in New England. Fraser, 24, can play end and tackle and posted five sacks in 2006. Moore is a nose tackle.

The 324-pound journeyman saw action in only one contest last season.