Atlanta Falcons Ink Former Wide Receiver to Practice Squad Ahead of Sunday’s Clash with Soaring Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons have signed a familiar face to their practice squad in preparation for a Week 7 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons have poached veteran wide receiver Damiere Byrd from the Carolina Panthers and placed wide receiver Keilahn Harris on the injured reserved (IR). Byrd rejoins the Falcons after playing 14 games with them in 2022.

Damiere Byrd was an undrafted free agent signee to the Carolina Panthers in 2015. The speedy five-foot-nine wideout caught 12 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns during his three seasons in Carolina. He also returned ten kicks for 294 yards and a touchdown. Byrd signed with Arizona in the offseason of 2019 and played 11 games during his lone season in the desert.

The South Carolina Gamecocks product snagged a then-career-best 32 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown. Byrd signed a one-year deal with the Patriots for the 2020 season, posting 47 receptions for 604 yards and a touchdown. The journeyman wideout then took his talent to the Chicago Bears for one season before joining the Atlanta Falcons. Byrd played sparingly for the Falcons but hauled in 13 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns. His best game came with former starting quarterback Marcus Mariota under center. He caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers in late October.

Damiere Byrd will join an Atlanta Falcons air attack that’s 18th in the NFL in passing yards. Quarterback and second-year NFL vet Desmond Ridder has struggled with efficiency in 2023, throwing for six touchdowns against six interceptions in six games. The Falcons have a shallow receiving core headlined by former first-round pick Drake London. Atlanta also houses wideouts Mack Hollins, KhaDarel Hodge, Scott Miller, and the newly acquired Van Jefferson.

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The Atlanta Falcons suffered a disappointing 16-24 loss to the Washington Commanders. Quarterback Desmond Ridder didn’t help their chances of winning by throwing three interceptions in the second half. On their last three drives, Ridder threw his second interception at the goal line, had a turnover on downs, and threw his third interception in enemy territory.

Ridder is 3-3 as the starting quarterback. He is 130/203 for 1,380 yards, 64% completion percentage, 6.8 yards per attempt, six touchdowns, and six interceptions. Atlanta might have to rely on Taylor Heinicke if he continues to struggle.

Atlanta drafted Desmond Ridder in the 3rd round, 74th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ridder served as Marcus Mariota’s backup for the first 13 games of his rookie season. Atlanta benched Mariota for the remainder of the season, and Mariota had season-ending knee surgery.

Ridder started the last four games, finishing with a 2-2 record. He was 73/115 for 708 yards, 63.5% completion percentage, 6.2 yards per attempt, and two passing touchdowns.