FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Safety DeMarcco Hellams will miss significant time due to an ankle injury, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced Monday.
Hellams sustained his injury during the first quarter of the Falcons' preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins last Friday at Hard Rock Stadium. It happened on the defense's second snap of the game. There was a complete pass that turned into a fumble and went out of bounds. Hellams was caught up in the traffic and unable to get up after the whistle, ultimately getting carted off the field.
What significant time means exactly remains unclear, especially since Hellams was not placed on the reserve/injured list like outside linebacker Bralen Trice, who injured his knee during the same game. Trice's placement on injured reserve means he'll miss the rest of his rookie season. The fact that Hellams did not join Trice on injured reserve indicates the Falcons believe he'll return at some point this fall, but it could be a while.
"We'll see what that means," Morris said. "But he'll be out for a little bit."
Hellams was indeed absent from Monday's practice.
He had been competing with Richie Grant since the start of training camp for the Falcons' second starting safety spot. The first undoubtably goes to Pro Bowler Jessie Bates III.
This position battle between Hellams and Grant initially picked up traction toward the end of last season. Grant was the starter to begin the year and for much of the season. But come December, Hellams began seeing a noticeable increase in his defensive snaps. He even started four of the final six games. In two of those, he received the nod over Grant. The others saw them both on the field at the same time alongside Bates in three-safety looks.
So, when offseason and preseason work commenced, the Hellams-Grant competition continued where it left off.
Now, there's a temporary void in the pecking order at the position. Another safety should see it as an opportunity. The next-man-up mentality is nothing new in Atlanta.
"This league is so physical," Falcons assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray said. "You're going to lose some guys along the way. Can the young guys that are after him step up and make plays? If you can, you're only going to make us better. If you can't, you're only going to make us worse. So, it's up to the lot of guys that are playing backup that really give you the strength of what you're really going to be."
The Falcons have their second exhibition game on the road Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
ROLL CALL
As already noted, Hellams did not participate in Monday's practice. He wasn't the only absence, though. Safety Dane Cruikshank was also missing.
Morris didn't specifically name Cruikshank in his pre-practice press conference as a limited player, but Morris did say there would be some players given lighter work because of "dings and bruises" from last Friday's game.
Running back Jase McClellan was one who Morris did name, so it was no surprise to see him practicing in a non-contact yellow jersey.
VISIT REPORT
Safety Justin Simmons is in Atlanta for a two-day visit, per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Simmons is a 30-year-old free agent who has had a successful career thus far at his position. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (2020 and 2023) and has landed on The Associated Press' All-Pro second team four times (2020 and 2021-23).
The Denver Broncos originally drafted Simmons with a third-round pick in 2016. He remained there until the team released him this past March.
Simmons has played in 118 career games, starting 108, including every game he's been active since his rookie season. He has had at least two interceptions every season, peaking with an NFL-best six in 2022. His career highs include 15 pass breakups in 2019, 97 total tackles in 2018 and a 65-yard pick-six in 2017. He has also five forced fumbles, 4 ½ sacks and three fumble recoveries on his resume. Just last season, Simmons had three interceptions, eight pass breakups and 70 total tackles.
Depending on how severe Hellams' injury is, Simmons could be the Falcons' answer and give Bates a Pro-Bowl running mate.
OBSERVATIONS
-- Falcons secondary coach Justin Hood had a nice coaching moment with cornerback Dee Alford during 1-on-1 work. Wide receiver Josh Ali caught a pass over Alford. Before Alford could run back to get in line for his next rep, Hood called him over. Hood essentially showed Alford how to open up in that situation and then explained the when and why behind his instruction.
-- Outside linebackers Bradlee Anae and DeAngelo Malone were noted as fill-ins for the injured Trice with the second-team defense during 11-on-11 periods. They took turns lining up opposite of Arnold Ebiketie on most reps. Defensive linemen James Smith-Williams and Demone Harris were also used to set the edge.
-- Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a nice pass to wide receiver Casey Washington up the middle when the second-team offense went up against the first-team defense. Penix hit Washington in a really tight window with a zinger. Inside linebacker Troy Andersen reached out to get a hand on the ball but missed.
-- On the flip side, when Penix later tried to connect with wide receiver Austin Mack, cornerback Clark Phillips III had an impressive pass breakup.
And speaking of pass breakups, cornerback Anthony Johnson had at least two with the second-team defense, against both the first- and second-team offenses. Johnson broke up a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Drake London and another from Penix to wide receiver Dylan Drummond.
Overall, Johnson just seemed to have a strong showing Monday. So much so, he was named the Camp Champ on the corresponding Falcons Final Whistle podcast episode.
-- Johnson wasn't the only defensive back to give London problems. All three of London's pass attempts were broken up. Cornerback Natrone Brooks, Johnson and safety Jessie Bates III were responsible, in that order.
Perhaps because of this disconnect, Cousins appeared to work with London directly during the special teams' period. Cousins literally jogged through routes to show London what he wanted and expected on certain plays. Then, together, they'd try the adjustment out with an actual pass.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and the other quarterbacks were around for this moment, too.
-- Kicker Younghoe Koo went 6-for-7 on field goals. He was initially set up by the first-team offense for a 32-yard attempt that he missed. Then, the second-team offense brought him back to the same spot. This time, he made it and then made five more from estimated ranges of 37, 40, 46, 52 and 51 yards. His last one hit the bottom of the goal post but bounced in.
-- Quick hits: Cousins was 9 of 12. Penix was 8 of 15. Smith-Williams and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter were credited with a sack on Penix. Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro was credited with a sack on Cousins. Cousins had a complete pass for about 45 yards to wide receiver Darnell Mooney along the left sideline. Cornerback Mike Hughes was in coverage.
