Falcons place Bralen Trice on the injured list, numerous transfers after season opener

On Friday night, the Atlanta Falcons not only lost their season opener against the Miami Dolphins. They also lost their biggest investment on the defensive line. First revealed by Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick, Washington third-round pick Bralen Trice was placed on the injured list due to a torn ACL suffered in Friday’s game. Trice’s rookie season is over before it really began.

Trice was one of the rookies that Falcons fans were counting on for 2024, as there were no moves at the position this offseason. The edge rusher has been a thorn in the side of the organization for years, and it was thought that Trice and Arnold Ebiketie, who was drafted in the second round out of Penn State in his third year, would be the start of a youth movement at the position.

Instead, the crucial 2024 season has been canceled for Trice and second-year safety Demarcco Hellams, who suffered a leg injury himself on Friday.

In addition to Trice, defensive back Harrison Hand was also placed on the injured list. Quarterback Nathan Rourke was also released on Sunday.

In a series of related transfers, Atlanta signed receiver Jakeem Grant, running back Spencer Brown and quarterback John Paddock over the weekend.

Grant will likely compete for the WR4 role vacated by the loss of Rondale Moore. Brown is likely a product of the Falcons’ weak running game against Miami and will be in the hunt for the RB3 spot. Paddock joins the roster after signing as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft. He will have a chance to displace Taylor Heinicke as QB3 in next week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.