With veteran center Todd McClure expected to miss at least the season opener with a knee injury, the Atlanta Falcons just brought in some insurance on the offensive line.

Their plan still is to put second-year pro Joe Hawley in McClure’s place, but they added a backup with some experience. The team has signed center Brett Romberg. If the name sounds familiar to Atlanta fans, it should. Romberg appeared in 10 games for the Falcons in 2009, as a reserve center, guard and special-teams player. Romberg also was with the Falcons in 2008 and has spent six seasons in the NFL, including stints with Jacksonville and St. Louis. He’s appeared in 46 games with 19 starts.

In addition to signing Romberg, the Falcons made several other roster moves to get down to 80 players. They waived receiver Doug Beaumont, cornerback Kirk Belgrave, running back Phillip Sylvester, linebacker LaMarcus Thompson and linebacker Youri Yenga. The team also reached an injury settlement with receiver Tim Buckley.