The Atlanta Falcons have not yet put their injury problems behind them – and that trend continued during practice on Wednesday in Flowery Branch.
Falcons receiver Jakeem Grant, who only signed with the team on Saturday, was seen limping across the field during individual drills before leaving the field with trainers, according to Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game.
There is no further news on Grant’s status. Falcons coach Raheem Morris is not scheduled to meet with reporters until Thursday.
Grant is a two-time second-team All-Pro returner, earning honors in 2020 and 2021 – the last two seasons. Grant missed the last two seasons due to injury, suffering a torn Achilles tendon in 2022 before suffering a torn patellar tendon in 2023.
Grant was fully involved in individual drills on Monday, but the Falcons wanted to slowly ease him into the team phases. Their goal, Morris said, was to get him ready for Saturday’s preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens – but that now appears to be in jeopardy.
Before Grant’s departure, Morris provided a brief scouting report outlining why the Falcons viewed him as a replacement for slot receiver and returner Rondale Moore, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins last Wednesday.
“Jakeem Grant, fast, fast,” Morris said Monday. “He’s a returner in this league. We’re excited to see him out there today. I’m really excited to take guys on, and like I said, these guys keep moving around the lower roster and doing a great job of it.”
When healthy, Grant is one of the best returners in the NFL, with four punt return touchdowns and two kick return scores to his name.
Grant was drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins in 2016 and spent the first five years of his career and the beginning of his sixth in South Beach. The Chicago Bears traded Grant in early October 2021, and he proved to be a worthwhile investment, making his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
As a receiver, Grant has played in 81 games with eight starts. He has caught 100 passes for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 17 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The Falcons will have one more practice on Thursday before flying to Baltimore, where they will play the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday at noon.
