Atlanta Falcons see positive injury development for former DB starter despite roster cuts

When Atlanta Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams was carted off the field in his team's first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 9, most people naturally assumed the worst case scenario.

Considering Atlanta lost receiver Rondale Moore, outside linebacker Bralen Trice and defensive back Harrison Hand to season-ending knee injuries during the week-long trip to Miami, concerns about Hellams' long-term status were justified.

But Hellams, who officially suffered an injury to his left ankle, seems to have escaped this fate, which means the end of his season.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said the week after the game against the Dolphins that Hellams would miss “a lot of time,” but suggested that Hellams had a chance to return before the end of the season.

That idea only gained traction on Tuesday when the Falcons placed Hellams on the Reserve/Injured – Designated to Return list during their roster cuts. Now, Hellams has the opportunity to return after the first four games of the season.

Hellams, a seventh-round pick out of Alabama in the 2023 draft, had a productive rookie season, making 15 appearances, including four starts, and recording 40 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Hellams, 24, competed with Richie Grant over the summer for the starting job alongside All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, but Grant came out on top in training camp. Still, Atlanta expected both Grant and Hellams to play, alternating on a package basis.

But after Hellams' injury, the Falcons strengthened their safety room with four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons, who is now slated to start on defense.

Atlanta's initial 53-man roster, finalized Tuesday, featured four safeties: Bates, Simmons, Grant and Micah Abernathy. Hellams will likely step into a special teams role when he returns, although Morris noted last week that there's a chance he could play defensively.

“As a coach, your job is to find ways to make good players productive,” Morris said. “I don't see it any different with Richie, Justin, Jessie, all those guys — whoever can get in that mix, DeMarcco coming back, whatever the case may be. Those are big problems for a coach.”

Injuries aren't a huge concern, but avoiding a serious long-term illness is still a positive for the Falcons. And Hellams, who impressed coaches and teammates this summer with his work ethic and development, will likely be back on the field in the fall.