The Atlanta Falcons made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday, while also receiving positive news regarding outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter’s injury recovery.
The Falcons officially signed wide receiver Jakeem Grant to their practice squad, a move that had been reported on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams was released from the practice squad.
In other injury news, the Falcons designated Carter to return to practice. Carter had been on injured reserve for the past four weeks due to a concussion. He was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s walkthrough session.
Carter, who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 264 pounds, started the first five games of the season for Atlanta but saw his playing time drop in Week 6, logging just 30% of defensive snaps against the Carolina Panthers — his lowest snap count of the year. Prior to his injury, Carter had recorded 15 tackles, two quarterback hits (both against Kansas City in Week 3), but no sacks or tackles for loss. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris expressed hope that Carter will be ready to return for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. “Hoping to get back Lorenzo this week,” Morris said Wednesday.
Grant, a two-time second-team All-Pro returner in 2020 and 2021, missed the past two seasons due to injuries. He suffered a ruptured Achilles in 2022 and tore his patellar tendon in 2023. Over the course of his career, Grant has played in 81 games, making eight starts. As a receiver, he has accumulated 100 catches for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 17 carries for 76 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Maddox-Williams, who joined the Falcons two weeks ago, was an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers in 2022. He originally signed with the Los Angeles Chargers and has since had stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. He played in three games for the Cardinals in 2023, contributing on both defense and special teams.
The Falcons (6-4) will face the Denver Broncos (5-5) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High.
