Justin

Simmons

The Falcons’ top-tier safety is on track to return in Week 9. He sat out against the Buccaneers in Week 8, where Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Simmons’ expected return is a positive development for a Falcons squad that takes on the Cowboys in Week 9.

Simmons will miss the with a lingering hamstring injury that almost kept him out of Week 7’s game against the Seahawks. The loss of Simmons is a plus for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa passing offense, which will be without Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring). Atlanta will also be down two offensive linemen against the Bucs.

While Simmons is doubtful, the Falcons have also ruled out LB Troy Andersen (knee), which could potentially leave them without two of their top defensive players. The Falcons will face a depleted Buccaneers receiving corps, but that doesn’t do much to soften the impact of Simmons and Andersen sitting.

Simmons, the Pro Bowl safety allowing just 0.2 yards per coverage snap, will suit up against a high-powered Seattle passing attack. Falcons declared CB Antonio Hamilton Sr., LB Troy Andersen, DL Brandon Dorlus, OL Jovaughn Gwyn, OL Elijah Wilkinson, OL Brandon Parker, and DL Kentavius Street inactive against the Seahawks.

Linebacker Troy Andersen remains out with a knee injury. Simmons signed a one-year deal with Atlanta in the offseason. He has two pass breakups and one interception while playing nearly every defensive snap for the

The three-time-defending second-team All-Pro is allowing just 0.20 yards per coverage snap while totaling eight tackles in run defense. This is a situation to monitor. The Falcons face the Seahawks this week, who lead the league in passing attempts (250).

The Athletic’s Josh Kendall adds that the transaction was completed to make room for recent free agent-signee S Justin Simmons. Washington’s release bodes positively for journeyman WR Chris Blair, whose four explosive, 15-plus-yard pass plays through two preseason games tie for the league lead among NFL preseason pass-catchers. Washington played on 40 offensive snaps in two preseason games and failed to haul in either of his two targets. He hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2022 and hasn’t recorded a catch since 2021. It’s fair to wonder if his time in the league is close to up.

The Falcons continue to make late-offseason additions to their defense. Less than 24 hours after they traded for disgruntled Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon, the Falcons were at it again, signing Simmons to a one-year deal to help bolster their secondary. Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowler and a four-time Second-Team All-Pro, who has amassed 30 interceptions in 118 career games since being drafted by the Broncos in 2016. Simmons earned a PFF coverage grade of 63.4 last season and should fit nicely with safety Jessie Bates. Before signing with the Falcons, Simmons also met with the Saints.

Simmons was released by the Broncos in a cap-saving move, sending him into free agency in March. The 30-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler and is coming off a season with 70 tackles and three interceptions. With a deep free agent class at safety this year, Simmons has still been available. The Saints have Tyrann Mathieu leading the secondary and signing Simmons would add another experienced veteran next to him. In a shallow NFC South, the Saints fortifying a veteran defense next to a mediocre offense could give them a chance at the division’s title. Simmons visits New Orleans on Wednesday and his decision may come soon after.

The training staff has yet to determine the injury’s severity but the Broncos are already in a tough spot at safety. The front office released four-time second-team All-Pro S Justin Simmons this offseason and both S Caden Sterns (patellar tendon) and S Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) are currently on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. P.J. Locke is the only active Broncos safety who logged triple-digit defensive snaps last year, though he worryingly earned a 55.2 PFF coverage grade.