On Friday night, the Atlanta Falcons lost more than just their preseason opener to the Miami Dolphins. They lost their biggest investment on the edge of the defensive line. First broken by Sports Illustrated's Daniel Flick, third-round pick Bralen Trice out of Washington has been put on the Injured Reserve list due to a torn ACL suffered in Friday's game. Trice's rookie season is done before it could get started.
Trice was one of the rookies that Falcons fans were leaning on in 2024, given the lack of moves this offseason at the position. Edge rusher has been a thorn in the organization's side for years and the thought was that Trice and third-year second-round pick out of Penn State Arnold Ebiketie would be the start of a youth movement at the position.
Instead, Trice and likely second-year safety Demarcco Hellams, who suffered his own leg injury on Friday are done in a critical 2024 season.
Alongside Trice, defensive back Harrison Hand was also placed on IR. Quarterback Nathan Rourke was released on Sunday as well.
In a flurry of corresponding moves, Atlanta signed receiver Jakeem Grant, running back Spencer Brown and quarterback John Paddock over the weekend.
Grant will likely be fighting for the WR4 role left vacated by the loss of Rondale Moore. Brown is likely a product of the poor running game the Falcons produced against Miami and will be in the hunt for the RB3 spot. Paddock joins the roster after signing on as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft, he will have a chance to unseat Taylor Heinicke as QB3 in next week's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
