NFL News: Bobby Petrino Leaves Falcons for Arkansas

Bobby Petrino has taken a head coaching job at Arkansas. (AP Images)

In one of the toughest seasons in Atlanta Falcons history head coach Bobby Petrino has bailed out.

With not even one full NFL season under his belt Petrino has left the Falcons for a coaching job with the Arkansas Razorbacks. And apparently nobody knew it was going happen.

"He came here, lied to a great man in Arthur Blank. He lied to Rich McKay .... it's Coach Petrino's loss."Falcons starting corner DeAngelo Hall told ESPN reporters.

"If I saw him in the street I wouldn't have anything to say to him. I don't have any respect for him. He turned his back on the organization."

Petrino will be replaced by longtime Falcons assistant Emmitt Thomas for the final three games of the season until a permanent replacement can be found in the offseason.

Other NFL News

• Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who missed four games earlier this year because of a league-imposed suspension, was placed on injured reserve by the Jacksonville Jaguars because of an ankle injury.
• The San Francisco 49ers put quarterback Alex Smith on injured reserve Wednesday and signed Chris Weinke.