DeMarcco Hellams Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Seahawks vs Falcons game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Sep 14, 2025
Ready to go for SNF
Hellams (hamstring) is active for Sunday Night Football against the Vikings, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams will make his season debut after being forced to miss the team's Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old is set to operate as the top reserve option behind Jessie Bates at strong safety versus Minnesota.
Sep 12, 2025
Could return Sunday
Hellams (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams was unable to suit up in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury, but after logging a week of limited practice sessions, he's got a chance to play Sunday. The third-year safety from Alabama missed the Falcons' entire 2024 campaign with an ankle issue. However, he posted 40 total tackles across 354 defensive snaps in his rookie season. If Hellams can suit up in Week 2, he'd likely serve as Atlanta's top reserve safety.
Sep 10, 2025
Returns to practice Wednesday
Hellams (hamstring) participated in practice in a limited fashion Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams didn't practice at all last week and didn't play in Sunday's season-opener versus Tampa Bay, so his ability to participate (albeit in limited fashion) in practice Wednesday represents a step in the right direction. Hellams missed all of last year due to an ankle injury, so when he next gets on the field, it will be his first regular-season action since 2023.
Sep 5, 2025
Out for Week 1
Hellams (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay.
ANALYSIS
A seventh-round pick in 2023, Hellams appeared in 15 regular-season games as a rookie before missing all of 2024 with an ankle injury.
Sep 3, 2025
Working through hamstring issue
Hellams did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
It's not clear when Hellams picked up the injury, but his practice participation Thursday and Friday will provide clarity on his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season opener against Tampa Bay. Jordan Fuller would be in line to see more rotational snaps at safety behind starters Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts if Hellams is not cleared to play.
Apr 15, 2025
Full-go at voluntary workouts
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said last Friday that Hellams (ankle) will be a full participant at voluntary OTAs, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a significant ankle sustained during the preseason, but he'll have a full offseason of health to get ready for the 2025 season. Atlanta's decision to sign Jordan Fuller to a one-year deal in free agency will likely relegate Hellams to a rotational or backup role on defense, especially if the Falcons address the safety spot in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Nov 27, 2024
Still not near coming back
Coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Hellams (ankle) is still "slow to go," Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams has been sidelined since the preseason with a serious ankle injury, and it seems like he'll have to remain out at least through Week 13. A return to action in 2024 hasn't been ruled out, but he is starting to run out of chances to make it happen.
Oct 14, 2024
Return not near
Head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Monday that Hellams (ankle) is still "weeks away" from returning, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The 2023 seventh-round pick out of Alabama has yet to suit up for the Falcons this season after sustaining an ankle injury in early August that landed him on injured reserve. Morris' comments Monday indicate that Hellams still has a long way to go in his recovery process, so expect Richie Grant to continue serving as Atlanta's top reserve safety for the foreseeable future.
Aug 27, 2024
Placed on IR
Hellams (ankle) was placed on injured reserve by the Falcons on Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams suffered an ankle injury against the Dolphins on Aug. 9 and he'll now be forced to miss at least Atlanta's first four games of the 2024 season as a result. The safety will be first eligible to return to action Oct. 3 versus the Buccaneers in Week 5.
Aug 12, 2024
Will miss significant time
Head coach Raheem Morris announced that Hellams (ankle) will be out for an extended time, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams suffered an ankle injury during Friday's preseason game versus the Dolphins and that will now force him to miss significant time. In his absence, Lukas Denis and Josh Thompson could be in line for more playing time.
Aug 9, 2024
Carted off field
Hellams was carted off the field during Friday's preseason matchup with the Dolphins due to an apparent left leg injury, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams had an air cast placed on his leg prior to being carted off. Prior to the injury, he was competing with Richie Grant for a starting role at strong safety in the Falcons' secondary.
May 22, 2024
Healthy once again
Hellams (concussion) participated in OTAs on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Hellams entered concussion protocols as the 2023 season came to an end, but he is now healthy and ready to compete. The Alabama product saw his role grow as last season progressed and is expected to be the Falcons' starter at strong safety this season.
Jan 17, 2024
Carves out role down the stretch
Hellams (concussion) finished 2023 with 40 tackles (25 solo) in 15 appearances.
ANALYSIS
A rookie seventh-round pick, Hellams operated exclusively on special teams to start his career but gradually carved out a larger defensive role. He operated as a starter over the final weeks of the campaign but missed the season finale due to a concussion. Given the way the year ended, Hellams should have a chance to compete with Richie Grant for snaps next to Jessie Bates in 2024, but the Falcons may look to upgrade the safety position this offseason as well.
Jan 5, 2024
Missing Week 18
Hellams (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.
ANALYSIS
Hellams was held out of practice all week after sustaining a concussion in the Falcons' Week 17 loss to the Bears, so it's no surprise that the 2023 seventh-round pick won't suit up Sunday. Richie Grant is expected to see more work in Atlanta's secondary with Hellams missing the team's Week 18 affair.
Jan 3, 2024
In concussion protocol
Hellams did not practice Wednesday and is in concussion protocol, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
According to coach Arthur Smith, Hellams began experiencing concussion symptoms following Sunday's loss to Chicago. He was able to play 72 percent of Atlanta's defensive snaps in that contest, tallying six tackles (all solo). If Hellams is unable to clear concussion protocol in time to suit up for Sunday's key Week 18 clash against the Saints, Richie Grant would likely slide back into a starting role.
Jan 2, 2024
Productive in Sunday's loss
Hellams recorded six total tackles (all solo) in Sunday's 37-17 loss to the Bears.
ANALYSIS
The rookie out of Alabama has seen increased time on the Falcons' defense since taking over the starting strong safety duties from Richie Grant in Week 15. Hellams has started four games for Atlanta thus far, logging 28 total tackles, including one tackle for loss in those starts. Expect the 2023 seventh-round pick to continue starting in the Falcons' secondary in a must-win Week 18 game against the Saints.
Nov 10, 2023
Back to full strength
Hellams (hamstring) was a full participant at practice Friday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
He's on track to suit up Sunday after sitting out in Week 9 versus the Vikings with a hamstring injury. He figures to step back into a rotational role in Atlanta's defensive backfield in Week 10.
Nov 9, 2023
Back at practice
Hellams (hamstring) was a limited participant at the Falcons' practice Thursday, Amna Subhan of Atlanta's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Hellams returned to practice for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 8, offering a glimpse of hope for his chances to play Sunday in Arizona. He'll look to increase his workload at Friday's final session of the week.
Nov 3, 2023
Missing Week 9
Hellams (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The rookie out of Alabama is in line to miss his first game of the season, as he was held out of practice throughout the week with a hamstring issue. Hellams has played almost strictly on special teams for Atlanta this year, recording three total tackles.
Apr 29, 2023
Taken by Atlanta in Round 7
The Falcons selected Hellams in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 224th overall.
ANALYSIS
Hellams (6-foot-1, 203 pounds) might be a little light by NFL safety standards but the Alabama product was a standout three-year starter on a tough defense and looks like a good value this late for Atlanta. As much as Hellams might be a below average athlete (4.57-second 40, 31-inch vertical), he did something right to make 108 tackles in 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2022.
Apr 29, 2023
Taken by Atlanta in Round 7
The Falcons selected Hellams in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 224th overall.
ANALYSIS
Hellams (6-foot-1, 203 pounds) might be a little light by NFL safety standards but the Alabama product was a standout three-year starter on a tough defense and looks like a good value this late for Atlanta. As much as Hellams might be a below average athlete (4.57-second 40, 31-inch vertical), he did something right to make 108 tackles in 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2022.
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