Falcons S Hellams to miss ‘significant time’; Simmons to visit

The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly hosting free agent safety Justin Simmons amid the update that second-year safety Demarcco Hellams is going to miss "significant time" with an ankle injury sustained over the weekend.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris gave the update on Hellams on Monday after he injured his ankle in Friday's 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Hellams sustained the injury on the second defensive play of the game.

Simmons is visiting the club Monday and Tuesday, NFL Network reported.

Hellams, 24, was expected to compete with Richie Grant for a starting position opposite Pro Bowl selection Jessie Bates III. Hellams had 40 tackles in 15 games (four starts) during his rookie season in 2023.

Rookie linebacker Bralen Trice was placed on injured reserve Sunday with a knee injury sustained in the Falcons' first preseason game, ending his season. Trice, a third-round pick in April's draft, tore his ACL.

Cornerback Harrison Hand was also placed on IR after getting hurt during practice last week. The Falcons signed Hand in June and he was listed as the No. 3 cornerback on the depth chart.

Simmons, 30, recorded three interceptions, one sack and 70 tackles in 15 starts with the Broncos last season. He was named to his second Pro Bowl. A third-round pick by Denver in 2016, Simmons racked up 30 interceptions, 64 passes defensed and 604 tackles in 118 games (108 starts) with the team.

Simmons also visited the New Orleans Saints last week.

Also Sunday, the Falcons released quarterback Nathan Rourke and signed wide receiver Jakeem Grant, running back Spencer Brown and quarterback John Paddock.

--Field Level Media