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Falcons place OLB Bralen Trice on reserve/injured list, make a slew of transactions 

The Falcons placed two players on the reserve/injured list, released a quarterback and signed three offensive players after returning from a week in Miami.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons made a series of transactions Sunday in the aftermath of their joint practices and preseason game with the Miami Dolphins.

Here is a quick synopsis of all the moves:

  • Outside linebacker Bralen Trice and cornerback Harrison Hand were placed on Atlanta's reserve/injured list.
  • Quarterback Nathan Rourke was released.
  • Wide receiver Jakeem Grant, running back Spencer Brown and quarterback John Paddock were signed.
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RESERVE/INJURED LIST

Both Trice and Hand sustained injuries this past week while in Florida.

Trice prematurely exited the Falcons' first preseason game last Friday in the second quarter with what the team has confirmed to be a knee injury. He sustained the injury while rushing the passer on a third-down play and had to be assisted off the field by two athletic trainers.

The third-round draft pick had been earning substantial reps with both the first- and second-team defenses during training camp. He was listed as the Falcons' backup outside linebacker in their first official depth chart, falling in behind Arnold Ebiketie.

Hand left practice early last Wednesday after going down during 11-on-11 work. The injury appeared to occur on a pass deep down the right sideline as Hand was slow to get up afterward. Atlanta confirmed Sunday that Hand also injured his knee. Hand was able to limp off on his own but not seen again in action. He did not play in the game.

A 2020 fifth-round draft pick, Hand signed with the Falcons back on June 11. He was listed as the Falcons' third cornerback on the depth chart, behind Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips III.

Their placement on injured reserve means Trice and Hand will miss the entirety of the 2024 season.

RELEASED

Rourke, a former CFL player, signed with the Falcons on Aug. 1. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, he hadn't taken any live NFL reps. That changed when he entered Friday's game in the fourth quarter with 12:12 left on the clock. Rourke ultimately completed three of his 13 pass attempts for 37 yards. His longest completion was a 16-yarder to wide receiver OJ Hiliare. He also scrambled twice for 24 yards, including a 21-yarder that was Atlanta's longest run of the game.

SIGNINGS

Grant is no stranger to the NFL, with six years of experience under his belt. Paddock, though, is an undrafted free agent. Brown has eight career game appearances since also entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

Grant joined in 2016 as a sixth-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins and has appeared in 81 games for two teams since. He hasn't, however, played in a game since 2021 due to injuries. As a member of the Cleveland Browns, Grant was placed on injured reserve for an Achilles injury in 2022 and a broken patella in 2023.

When he was healthy, though, Grant played an active role on both offense and special teams.

Offensively, Grant has 100 receptions for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns on his resume. His best season came in 2020 with the Dolphins when he caught 36 passes for 373 yards and a touchdown.

With special teams, Grant has returned 119 punts for 1,228 yards and four touchdowns and another 110 kickoffs for 2,699 yards and two touchdowns. He has led the league multiple times in various ways, including a 97-yard punt return for a touchdown in 2021 with the Chicago Bears and a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2018 with the Dolphins.

Grant's six combined return touchdowns since he entered the league in 2016 rank No. 1 in the NFL, tied with Jacksonville wide receiver Jamal Agnew.

The signing of this versatile veteran doesn't come as surprise after the Falcons placed wide receiver Rondale Moore on the reserve/injured list last Thursday. Moore was listed on the first depth chart as a backup for both the offense and special teams.

Paddock returns to Atlanta after having been released Aug. 1.

Brown appeared in six games with the Carolina Panthers – four as a rookie during the 2021 season and two in 2022. No stats were recorded in his first season. In his second, he carried the ball nine times for 43 yards. Brown did not play in 2023, spending time on and off the Panthers' practice squad.

Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium during Preseason Week 1.

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