Tag: Justin Simmons

Titans’ injury report: 6 starters sit out practice

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field Wednesday and released their first injury report for the week.

The Titans seemed to be making progress on the injury front heading into their 27-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. With the week’s first practice on hand, it will be the first chance to see if some ailing players could return this week.

The most notable injury remains cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. His quad injury has kept him out for an extended period. Heading into Wednesday, Sneed has not practiced in any capacity since the injury. Unfortunately, Sneed has continued to be sidelined.

Multiple starters joined him on the sideline, including defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, outside linebacker Arden Key, Cornerback Roger McCreary, running back Tony Pollard, and tackle Leroy Watson IV.

Defensive Back Justin Hardee was limited with a groin injury. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), RB Tony Pollard (NIR/rest), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Roger McCreary (knee), OLB Arden Key (back)

Limited Participant: DB Justin Hardee (groin)

Full participants: N/A

Courtland Sutton delivers funny message to ex-teammate Justin Simmons

“Hey, bro, if you see me coming across the middle, just remember we’re friends,” Broncos WR Courtland Sutton told Falcons DB Justin Simmons.

After being cut by the Denver Broncos this offseason, veteran safety Justin Simmons landed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Simmons is now set to return to Empower Field at Mile High to face his old team when the Broncos host the Falcons on Sunday.

Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton was asked about Simmons’ return during his media availability on Wednesday. After a serious response to the question, Sutton revealed a funny message he delivered to his ex-teammate ahead of the matchup.

“It will be fun,” Sutton said when asked about playing against Simmons. “Justin’s my guy, man. I’m obviously sad that we don’t get to share a locker room together anymore, but I’m happy that he found another home — happy that the Falcons knew the value that they were getting with signing him.

“Watching him on film, he’s still Justin Simmons. He’s the guy that goes out there and makes plays. … He’s such a smart player, such a reliable player. Really good tackler. Really good player at finding the ball, man. It’s going to be fun getting to go against him.”

Then came the money quote: “You know, practicing against him for years is one thing, but to get live bullets is going to be fun,” Sutton said. “I jokingly told him, ‘Hey, bro, if you see me coming across the middle, just remember we’re friends.'”

Simmons (30) and Sutton (29) were teammates with the Broncos from 2018-2023. After facing off in practice every day for six seasons, the safety and receiver are now set to face off as opponents for the first time on Sunday.

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Justin Simmons expects to be booed by Broncos fans on Sunday

“I won’t hear as many cheers — probably a little bit more boos,” Falcons safety Justin Simmons said of facing the Broncos this week.

Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons will return to Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday and he doesn’t necessarily expect Denver Broncos fans to give him a warm welcome.

“I think running out in the stadium, obviously all those [elements] will be different,” Simmons said Wednesday, via WSB-TV’s Zach Klein. “I’ll be on the other side, in the away locker room changing and I’ll be on the opposite side of the sideline. You know, I won’t hear as many cheers — probably a little bit more boos — but, again, I think that’s part of it.”

It’s hard to imagine Broncos fans actually booing Simmons. He was a fan favorite in Denver as a team captain and leader in the community. The Broncos made the decision to release Simmons this spring to save salary cap space — and the safety was professional after being cut by the team. Fans in Denver have no reason to have any beef with Simmons.

Simmons also said he’s still in a group chat with defensive backs including Pat Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian and P.J. Locke. Simmons said he might need to mute the chat this week to avoid the smack-talking and then talk to them in person after the game.

The always-professional Simmons made it clear that he still has love for the Broncos and their fans, but he’s focused on helping the Falcons get a win in Week 11.

“I know all this is, the highlight of most of it is going to be the return back to Denver and what that looks like,” Simmons said. “You know, honestly, it’s going to be a great game — I’m really looking forward to being there — but my focus … I wanted to make sure I gave love to the organization and to the fanbase there as they treated my family and I so well.

“And I do have nothing but love for the team and for the fanbase and for the community — that’s still home for us. But at the same time, too, I’m a Falcon and I’m really looking forward, just to keep reiterating it, going up there and finding a way to get our seventh win.”

A reasonable stance for the veteran safety to take. Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a home favorite in Week 11.

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Falcons get positive injury news ahead of Week 7 matchup

Falcons safety Justin Simmons expected to play vs. Seahawks, per report

The Atlanta Falcons listed Justin Simmons as questionable for their Week 7 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but it sounds like the veteran safety will try to play on Sunday. According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Simmons is “expected to go today” despite a sore hamstring.

The 30-year-old sat out of Wednesday’s practice but was limited on Thursday and Friday. Simmons has appeared in all six games for Atlanta this season, recording 23 tackles (10 solo), two passes defended and one interception.

The Falcons are down two linebackers with both Troy Andersen and Lorenzo Carter ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Carter was placed on the injured reserve list over the weekend due to a concussion.

Atlanta signed defensive back Kevin King to the roster in a corresponding move Saturday. The team also promoted defensive back Natrone Brooks and outside linebacker Demone Harris from the practice squad as standard Week 7 elevations.

As for the Seahawks, they could be without star running back Kenneth Walker, who was downgraded to questionable over the weekend.

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Falcons rule out two defensive starters ahead of Week 7 matchup

The Falcons have ruled out two defensive starters for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks

The Atlanta Falcons have yet to release their final Week 7 injury report but head coach Raheem Morris ruled out two defensive starters on Friday afternoon. Linebackers Troy Andersen (knee) and Lorenzo Carter (concussion) won’t play in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Andersen won NFC Defensive Player of the Week after the team’s Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints but was injured in the fourth quarter and hasn’t played since. Carter was initially listed on Wednesday’s injury report with an illness, however, it was later changed to a concussion.

Morris also said that safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) would be questionable for Week 7, per team reporter Amna Subhan.

With Andersen ruled out, the Falcons will look to third-year linebacker Nate Landman to start next to Kaden Elliss. Landman, who returned from the injured reserve list last week, recorded the team’s highest Pro Football Focus grade in last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers.

Former second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie will likely step in for Carter in Week 7. If Simmons can’t play, Richie Grant would get the start at safety.

The Seahawks have struggled since their 3-0 start to the season, losing three straight games to fall to 3-3. Atlanta has won three straight to improve to 4-2 and 3-0 within the NFC South. Sunday’s game starts at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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Falcons provide injury updates on Justin Simmons, Micah Abernathy

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris provides injury updates on Justin Simmons and Micah Abernathy..

After opening the season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons have won four out of five games and three straight. In Week 6, the team overcame a shaky start to pull off a 38-20 win over the Carolina Panthers.

It wasn’t all good for the Falcons, though. The team suffered two notable injuries with safeties Justin Simmons (hamstring) and Micah Abernathy (knee) each going down during Sunday’s win. Head coach Raheem Morris provided some injury updates on Monday afternoon.

Morris said Simmons’ hamstring isn’t a concern going forward but Abernathy could miss “a significant amount of time” due to his knee injury. Atlanta will continue to monitor linebacker Troy Andersen’s status, per team reporter Tori McElhaney.

Simmons signed with the Falcons in August and has thrived playing next to Jessie Bates at safety. Abernathy has mostly filled a depth role this season.  Morris made it sound like Abernathy could be headed to the injured reserve list.

If so, the Falcons would likely re-sign Kevin King to the active roster for some extra defensive back depth. King was released from the roster over the weekend before returning to the practice squad one day later.

Andersen has missed the last two games due to a knee injury. Fortunately, linebacker Nate Landman returned from injured reserve in Week 6 and finished Sunday’s game as the team’s highest-graded player, via Pro Football Focus.

Atlanta also signed defensive lineman Junior Aho to the practice squad and released Kenny Oginni in a corresponding move on Monday.

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Falcons safety wants to make sure teammate isn’t ‘swept under the rug’

Falcons safety Justin Simmons wants to make sure teammate Jessie Bates isn’t being “swept under the rug”

The Atlanta Falcons offense came to life during Thursday night’s 36-30 win over the Tampa Buccaneers, but the defense also deserves credit for making some key stops in the second half. Safety Jessie Bates III forced a Buccaneers fumble to give the Falcons life in the fourth quarter.

While those around the NFL have mostly praised quarterback Kirk Cousins’ 509-yard, four-touchdown performance, Justin Simmons wants to make sure his defensive backfield mate gets the credit he deserves.

“Jessie is playing at [Defensive Player of the Year] level right now,” tweeted Simmons. “Want to make sure what he did on Thursday night isn’t being swept under the rug because of that outstanding ending from Red and the O.”

Simmons and Bates have been as good as advertised this season. Both players have made some big plays despite the defense’s lack of overall pass rush. Without the team’s strong defensive efforts early in the season, there’s no way Atlanta would be sitting at 3-2 and first in the NFC South.

Bates recorded the game-clinching interception in the Falcons’ Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Thus far in 2024, Bates has recorded 37 tackles (23 solo), one interception, three passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Cousins and the offense received heavy criticism early in the year but the veteran QB has knocked the rust off and is starting to let it fly again. The Falcons have another NFC South game on deck in Week 6 when they face the Carolina Panthers (1-4) on the road next weekend.

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Broncos DB Brandon Jones is PFF’s No. 1 safety this season

Broncos defensive back Brandon Jones is PFF’s highest-graded safety (90.0) through four games this season.

Four games into his career with the Denver Broncos, Brandon Jones is currently graded as the NFL’s best safety by Pro Football Focus.

PFF has given Jones an overall grade of 90.0, with an 87.9 coverage grade. The 26-year-old safety joined Denver after the team released Justin Simmons this spring.

“I’m pleased because there’s a little bit of unknown just not having him and, man, he’s got real good football instincts, savvy, the ball finds him,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about Jones following the team’s 10-9 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. “He’s doing well.”

Jones is Denver’s first player since 2015 to record at least one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the team’s first four games of a season. The last player to do it was Darian Stewart, a member of the No Fly Zone defense that won Super Bowl 50.

Jones has totaled 24 tackles, two pass breakups and two takeaways through four games with the Broncos. He was an excellent signing this offseason.

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Bucs QB Baker Mayfield recognizes a unique challenge the Falcons present

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first primetime game of the season is on Thursday. The team travels to Atlanta to kick off divisional play.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first primetime game of the season is on Thursday. The team travels to Atlanta to kick off divisional play. The Bucs will be playing their former head coach, Raheem Morris, for the first time since he left the team in 2012.

Twelve years later, the defensive-minded coach has brought a defense for the Falcons that is a unique challenge for the Bucs. Quarterback Baker Mayfield isn’t overlooking that challenge either.

When speaking with Bucs media, Mayfield recognized that the Falcons’ safety duo would be an exciting challenge for him and the offense. The team boasts two of the best safeties in the NFL, Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates. Both men have complementing styles and have proven to be difference-makers for the Falcons’ defense.

Mayfield points out that their veteran status also means they have seen it all, but he has ways to look off their coverages. Seeing how that chess match unfolds for both parties will be interesting.

Chris Olave is officially active for Week 4 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Despite suffering a hamstring injury on Friday, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is active and will play against the Atlanta Falcons:

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave suffered a hamstring injury on Friday, and Dennis Allen said Olave was day-to-day after practice. The expectation was that Olave would be a game-time decision.

Suffering an injury that late in the week will always put your status in question. When the Saints chose to bring up an offensive lineman from the practice squad instead of a wide receiver, it felt likely Olave would play.

Alongside Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed, Olave makes up nearly the entirety of the Saints passing attack. He’s one of Derek Carr’s favorite targets, so Olave absence would have been greatly felt.

Luckily, the Saints won’t have to find out, because Olave is active and will play in Atlanta. His injury happened late enough in the week to where he was already fully implemented into the game plan. Olave and Shaheed will have a fun matchup against the Falcons’ secondary. Olave will see A.J. Terrell frequently in one of our matchups to watch.

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