The last few years have been anything but smooth sailing for NFL kick return specialist Jakeem Grant. After making the first Pro Bowl of his NFL career in 2021, Grant suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2022 and 2023.
The Atlanta Falcons signed Grant earlier in the season but ended up waiving him via injury settlement a few weeks later. On Wednesday, the team once again signed Grant, this time to the practice squad.
Grant, 32, was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Texas Tech. After spending his first five seasons in Miami, he was traded to the Chicago Bears four games into the 2021 campaign.
Despite signing with the Browns as a free agent in 2022, Grant never suited up for Cleveland due to injuries. Now he returns to Atlanta hoping to finally get his career back on track. Grant has recorded 100 catches for 1,140 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over his six years in the NFL.
His biggest contributions have come in the return game. Grant has 119 career punt returns for 1,228 yards and four touchdowns, with another 110 kick returns for 2,699 yards and two touchdowns.
Assuming he’s healthy this time around, Grant could be a nice depth addition for a Falcons team looking to end a six-year postseason drought.
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