Flowery Branch, Ga. ? Nearly five months after he visited as a free agent, Grady Jackson finally plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

The 10th-year veteran nose tackle passed a physical, clearing the final prerequisite Thursday to a three-year contract he and the Falcons agreed to earlier this week.

During the last 2 1/2 years with Green Bay, the 6-foot-2, 360-pound Jackson started 27 of 34 games. He missed six weeks due to injuries in 2004.

Jackson is the run-stopper Atlanta lacked to “hold the point,” as coach Jim Mora puts it, and keep guards, centers and fullbacks from blocking out linebackers.