The Atlanta Falcons are set to have another player join them for training camp who missed the 2023 season. On Tuesday afternoon, the Falcons announced they signed a cornerback and released a cornerback.
The Atlanta Falcons brought back Eddie Goldman in April
![BREAKING: Atlanta Falcons Bring Back Another Defender Who Missed 2023 Season 1 USATSI 10277447 168400517 lowres](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_10277447_168400517_lowres-768x1024.jpg)
As previously discussed on GH in April, the Falcons are bringing back defensive tackle Eddie Goldman after he retired last year:
Eddie Goldman is coming out of retirement to sign with the Falcons. Rapoport called Goldman a former Falcons’ “standout,” but Rapoport could only be referencing Goldman’s off-the-field antics as a standout.
Per Mike Fisher with Sports Illustrated, Goldman was placed on the list after being listed with the team for two seasons without ever participating in practice:
“The Atlanta Falcons are ending their rather mysterious relationship with defensive lineman Eddie Goldman as he has been placed on the “exempt/left squad list” after being associated with the team for two seasons … without ever having even taken a practice snap.”
Then head coach Arthur Smith said he had no intentions of bringing Goldman back after the 2023 season. Goldman signed with the Falcons in July of 2022 but retired after thirteen days with the team. He came out of retirement in March of 2023 until he decided to retire again in July.
The Falcons signed Harrison Hand
![BREAKING: Atlanta Falcons Bring Back Another Defender Who Missed 2023 Season 2 USATSI 18771163](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_18771163-683x1024.jpg)
The Falcons signed another player who last took their snaps as a member of the Chicago Bears. Per a statement by the Falcons, the team released undrafted free agent rookie cornerback Anthony Sao. With Sao’s spot open, the Falcons signed Harrison Hand:
Hand last played during the 2022 season when he appeared in four games with one start for the Chicago Bears. In three seasons, Hand played in 27 games with two starts; he’s recorded 24 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception, which came against Saints quarterback Drew Brees in 2020.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Hand in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The defensive back spent two seasons (2020-21) and appeared in 23 games with the Vikings before joining the Bears.
NFL fans’ initial reaction to the roster moves
![BREAKING: Atlanta Falcons Bring Back Another Defender Who Missed 2023 Season 3 USATSI 18764684](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_18764684-683x1024.jpg)
The Falcons will have a couple of players trying to knock the rust off before training camp. Here are some initial reactions to Hand signing with the Falcons.
Looks like a potential ST addition, but he did get an INT against the Saints to stop a red zone drive, so he’s good in my book
— Saivion Mixson (@MixsonS_NFL) June 11, 2024
That’s Harry Hand, man.
— Jagged Sports (@Jagged_Sports) June 11, 2024
— 🖤Ñ❤️ (@FalcoNole) June 11, 2024
Nooo, not the Sao Man!
— Angry Beavers (@angrybeavers10) June 11, 2024
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