Falcons' Justin Simmons: Another strong season in 2024
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Simmons recorded 62 total tackles (36 solo) and seven passes defensed, including two interceptions, over 16 games in 2024.
Simmons joined the Falcons in mid-August after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Broncos, playing in at least 16 contests for the first time since 2021. The safety has now registered multiple interceptions in each of his nine NFL campaigns and he'll be an unrestricted free agent heading into the offseason.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Logs six tackles vs. Commanders
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Simmons recorded six total tackles (all solo) in Sunday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Commanders.
Simmons tied Dee Alford as the Falcons' third-leading tackler in the Week 17 loss, behind both Kaden Elliss (nine tackles) and Jessie Bates (12 tackles). The 31-year-old has now accumulated 56 tackles through 15 appearances this season and is on pace to finish with his lowest tackle total since his rookie season in 2016 (30 stops). Despite Simmons' underwhelming tackle output, he's contributed seven passes defended, including two interceptions, making key plays for the Falcons' defense. Expect the Boston College product to remain Atlanta's top strong safety in Week 18, when the Falcons face the Panthers.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Limited to open week
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Simmons (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Simmons suffered a hamstring injury during the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Seahawks, which was severe enough to keep him off the field for Week 8 against the Buccaneers. His limited session Wednesday is a step in the right direction after he ended last week with a DNP, and his practice participation over the next two days will give a clearer picture of his availability for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. If Simmons is sidelined for a second straight game, Richie Grant likely would start at safety alongside Jessie Bates.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Won't play Sunday
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Simmons (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Simmons suffered a hamstring injury during Atlanta's Week 6 win over the Panthers and played through the issue in Week 7, recording five solo tackles and one pass breakup while on the field for all 56 defensive snaps in the loss to Seattle. However, it appears the injury isn't getting better, as Simmons was deemed doubtful for Week 8 and will ultimately miss his first game of the season. Richie Grant is expected to start at safety in Simmons' absence.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Likely missing Week 8
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Simmons (hamstring) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Simmons played through his hamstring issue in the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Seahawks, recording five total tackles and one pass defended across 56 defensive snaps. However, the first-year Falcon downgraded from limited participation Wednesday and Thursday to a DNP on Friday, suggesting he's trending towards not playing Sunday. If Simmons is sidelined in Week 8 as expected, Richie Grant will likely see additional work in Atlanta's secondary.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Still nursing hamstring injury
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Simmons (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Simmons was able to play through a hamstring injury during the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Seahawks, during which he logged five solo tackles and one pass breakup while playing 100 percent of Atlanta's defensive snaps. He'll likely be limited in practices for the foreseeable future in order to manage the injury, but barring any setbacks, Simmons should be able to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Questionable to return
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Simmons (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Panthers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The safety made five tackles (two solo) before exiting. Richie Grant is his backup.
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Falcons' Justin Simmons: Likely playing Week 1
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Head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Thursday that he expects Simmons to be ready for the Falcons' Week 1 game against the Steelers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Simmons inked a one-year, $8 million deal with the Falcons just two weeks ago, but he's still expected to be ready to play in Atlanta's Week 1 contest Sept. 8. The veteran safety appeared in 15 regular-season games with the Broncos last season, recording 70 total tackles and eight passes defended, including three interceptions, while receiving second-team All-Pro honors. He and Jessie Bates are expected to be one of, if not the best, safety duos in the entire league in 2024.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Six stops in win
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Simmons finished Sunday's 16-9 win over the Chargers with six solo tackles.
Simmons managed to suit up for Week 17 after battling through an illness and played 62 defensive snaps. He's up to 67 total tackles over 14 games this season and is two shy of matching his total from 2022.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Gets first sack of the year in win
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Simmons had six tackles (three solo), including one sack, and a forced fumble in Sunday's 24-7 win over the Chargers.
Simmons strip-sacked backup quarterback Easton Stick late in the fourth quarter for a 10-yard loss, causing a fumble which was recovered by Austin Ekeler. Simmons played every single defensive snap for the third straight game, and although his tackle numbers aren't as high as previous seasons, he's still provided a steady, veteran presence in the Denver secondary.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Practices Thursday
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Simmons (hip) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
The safety participated on a limited basis during Wednesday's session. Simmons' full practice Thursday would seem to indicate that he's on track to play Sunday against the Chiefs. The three-time All-Pro has 28 tackles and an interception in five starts this season.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Tending to hip injury
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Simmons (hip) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
It's not obvious at this point when Simmons picked up the injury or how severe it is. Either way, he'll probably need to return to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have a chance to play Sunday versus Kansas City.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: To suit up at Chiefs
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Simmons (hip) does not carry an injury designation into Thursday's game at Kansas City.
As suspected after playing 62 snaps Sunday versus the Jets, Simmons will suit up in Week 6 at the Chiefs. He'll resume a nearly every-down role at safety Thursday.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Limited at practice Tuesday
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Simmons (hip) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Simmons led Denver's safeties in defensive snaps Sunday versus the Jets, so it's likely that his limitations at practice are purely maintenance-related. He'll have one more chance to manage a full practice Wednesday before Thursday's game at Kansas City.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Good to go for Week 5
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Simmons (hip) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's Week 5 game against the Jets, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Simmons hasn't played since Week 2, so his return will be a big boost to a struggling defense. He played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in each of the first two games, recording 14 tackles.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Won't play at Miami
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Simmons (hip) is listed as out for Sunday's game at the Dolphins, Armando Salguero of Fox News reports.
Simmons missed practice all week, and now he'll have to sit out at least one game as he recovers from a hip injury. 2022 fifth-rounder Delarrin Turner-Yell should see an expanded role in his absence.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Records 10 tackles in loss
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Simmons recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 35-33 loss to the Commanders.
Simmons' 10 tackles led all Broncos defenders Sunday. Through two games, the 29-year-old safety has recorded the second-most tackles on Denver's defense, trailing only Josey Jewell. Simmons will look to continue his solid start to the 2023 campaign when the Broncos visit the Dolphins in Week 3.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Notches four tackles in Week 1
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Simmons recorded four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Raiders.
Simmons was hindered by a groin injury in mid-August, but he appears to have left that behind him as he played all 55 of Denver's defensive snaps in Week 1. The safety is coming off of a 2022 campaign where he compiled 69 tackles, his lowest since 2017, so he'll look to return to form this season.
Simmons (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Ellie Kinney of the Broncos' official site reports.
Simmons popped up with a knee sprain following Denver's Week 9 bye, leaving him sidelined for Sunday's loss to the Titans. He was then tabbed as day-to-day by Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett following this defeat, and the safety followed this up Wednesday by saying that he expects to play Sunday versus Las Vegas, according to Kinney. Simmons has recorded 23 tackles, two passes defended and one interception while being limited to just four games due to injury this season, though he's played every defensive snap in each of these four contests.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: May miss minimal time
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Simmons (quadriceps) will likely miss just the minimum of four weeks while on IR, according to the head coach Nathanial Hackett, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Simmons' four-week absence from the Broncos secondary is certainly a negative for the defense, however a minimal stay on IR should at least lessen the blow of the veteran's absence. Until Simmons can return, Caden Sterns will fill in at free safety, beginning in Week 2 when the Broncos host the Texans.
