Japanese wide receiver/kick returner Noriaki Kinoshita decided to join the Atlanta Falcons as an International Practice Squad (IPS) player for this upcoming season, the NFL Japan announced Thursday.
Kinoshita, 25, was selected by the NFL club last month for the IPS spot after participating in the IPS training camps in Europe, but has been waiting for an offer for a spring training camp as a free agent, seeking to become the first Japanese-born player to play in the league this fall.
IPS players are guaranteed to be at the club for the entire season but are not allowed to be promoted to active rosters. Kinoshita's challenge to make an NFL roster will resume in 2009.
Kinoshita participated in the Falcons' training camp last summer as a free agent but did not make the final cut before the season opener.
The NFC South club will begin its preseason camp on July 26 in Flowery Branch, Ga.