Atlanta Falcons not done adding defense weapons amid preseason injuries

The Atlanta Falcons are not done cooking!

Just one day after trading for four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon , Atlanta restructured Chris Lindstrom's contract to make room for another defense weapon: two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the Falcons finalized a deal with Simmons, signing him to a one-year, $8 million contract with $7.5 million guaranteed.

The move had been highly anticipated since KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported earlier this week that Simmons was in Flowery Branch and had a "smooth" visit with the Falcons on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Falcons visit went smoothly all-around with veteran safety Justin Simmons, including a dinner with corner A.J. Terrell and defensive lineman Grady Jarrett," Wilson wrote on X/Twitter.

Simmons is Just What the Falcons' Defense Needs Right Now

Simmons is just what the Falcons' defense needs right now after they lost safety DeMarcco Hellams to an ankle injury during their first fist preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins last Friday.

It's even more comforting knowing Simmons is fresh off a productive 2023 season where racked up 70 tackles, three interceptions, and eight passes defended through 15 games.

Since entering the league as a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2016, Simmons has recorded 443 career tackles, 30 interceptions, and 64 passes defended.

In addition to Simmons' two Pro Bowl nods, he was named a second-team All-Pro four times and tied for the league lead in interceptions with six in 2022.

Simmons joins a Falcons safety room that features All-Pro ball Jessie Bates and veteran Richie Grant as their current starters.

However, with two more weeks left of training camp, we could see Simmons beat out Grant for the starting job.

Related: Atlanta Falcons solve near decade-long problem with acquisition of 4x Pro Bowler