Richie Grant Injury News & Updates

The 49ers released Grant (knee) on Thursday.

The lack of an injury designation indicates Grant is past a knee issue that kept him sidelined for all three of the 49ers' preseason games. The 2021 second-rounder will look to catch on with a team in need of depth at special teams and in the secondary. Grant finished the 2024 regular season with 14 tackles (13 solo) and two pass defenses across 17 games as a member of the Falcons.

Grant (knee) will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Grant is working through a knee injury, which will cause him to miss a second straight preseason game. The 2021 second-rounder is battling for a roster spot in a depth role at safety, and he'll aim on returning to practice next week and being available for the 49ers' preseason finale against the Chargers on Saturday, Aug. 23.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday that Grant (knee) did not suit up for the team's 30-9 preseason loss to Denver due to an injury and is expected to miss roughly one week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Grant's status may also be uncertain for the 49ers' next preseason tilt on Saturday, Aug. 16 versus the Raiders. Health permitting, he projects to enter the regular season handling a depth role at safety and contributing on special teams.

The 49ers will sign Grant to a one-year contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Grant played the majority of his snaps on special teams in 2024, occasionally rotating in at safety behind Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons. His competition for snaps at safety in San Francisco doesn't seem to be quite as formidable on paper, so he could be in line for an uptick in playing time on defense in 2025.

Grant will start if Justin Simmons (hamstring), who is listed as doubtful, can't play in Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Grant has played just 18 defensive snaps and recorded four total tackles and one pass defended through the Falcons' first seven games. If Simmons is sidelined as expected in Week 8, expect Grant to start opposite Jessie Bates as part of the Falcons' top safety duo.

Grant is working with the starters to begin training camp, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Grant was productive in 2023, recording 100-plus tackles for a second straight season. However, he struggled to cover tight ends and lost snaps to DeMarcco Hellams to end the campaign. With HC Raheem Morris establishing a new defensive scheme, Grant is getting another chance to solidify himself as the starter, but it's still early in the offseason, so things are subject to change.

Grant is working with the starters to begin training camp, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Grant was productive in 2023, recording 100-plus tackles for a second straight season. However, he struggled to cover tight ends and lost snaps to DeMarcco Hellams to end the campaign. With HC Raheem Morris establishing a new defensive scheme, Grant is getting another chance to solidify himself as the starter. However, it's still early in the offseason, so things are subject to change.

Grant (neck) finished 2023 with 103 tackles (37 solo), six pass defenses, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 17 appearances.

Grant, a 2021 second-round pick, was a regular starter for a second straight season and has recorded back-to-back 100-tackle campaigns. In 2023, Grant notched his first three sacks of his career and recorded his third interception over the last two seasons. He lost some snaps over the final couple of weeks to DeMarcco Hellams but appeared in all 17 games and finished strong with a 10-tackle performance, including a sack, in Week 18. The addition of Jessie Bates didn't negatively impact Grant's production, and the duo figures to be back in 2024, though Grant is entering the final year of his rookie deal and may have to fend off Hellams for playing time.

Grant (neck) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Amna Subhan of the Falcons' official site reports.

Grant tied for the team lead in defensive snaps at safety in Week 9, so it's not immediately obvious when he picked up the neck issue. Either way, he'll probably need to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Grant recorded nine tackles (six solo) and one pass defense during Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans.

Grant has recorded at least eight tackles and one pass defense in back-to-back games. He has 52 total stops through eight appearances, putting him on pace for a second consecutive 100-tackle season.

Grant recorded eight tackles (five solo) and an interception in Sunday's 16-13 win at the Buccaneers.

Grant put himself back on pace for 100-plus tackles on the season in Week 7, and to highlight his day, he made a good read to log a crucial interception with less than four minutes to play. Atlanta will go on the road to face a struggling Titans offense in Week 8.

Grant recorded 11 tackles (nine solo) during Sunday's 23-7 loss to Jacksonville.

Grant posted a team- and season-high 11 tackles during the loss. The second-year starter has been overshadowed by newcomer Jessie Bates to start 2023, but Grant is coming off a 123-tackle season and already has 28 stops through four games this year. Grant's tackle numbers offer mangers with a solid fantasy floor, but he's yet to record a turnover this season. Last season, he had two picks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery across 17 games.

Grant recorded four tackles (three solo) during Sunday's 25-24 win over the Packers.

It wasn't a prolific day for Atlanta's defense, as the offense was on the field for most of the game (82 offensive snaps to just 50 defensive). However, Grant still made some nice open-field tackles in his finite role and is off to a strong start in 2023, totaling 11 tackles (six solo) and one pass defense while playing 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps.

Grant posted 123 tackles (70 solo), seven pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 17 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

After a modest rookie season, Grant, a 2021 second-round pick, won the starting free safety job during training camp and went on to submit his first 100-tackle campaign in 2022. He posted at least five stops in all but one game (Week 7 against Cincinnati) and notched his first two interceptions of his career. Grant has two years remaining on his rookie deal and figures to be a core piece of Atlanta's secondary in 2023.

Grant posted nine tackles (four solo) and blocked a punt during Sunday's 20-19 win over Arizona.

Grant tied Isaiah Oliver with a team-high nine tackles and blocked a punt in the second quarter, which preluded a five-yard touchdown run from Cordarrelle Patterson. Across 16 games, Grant has accumulated 116 tackles, seven pass defenses and two interceptions while playing nearly every single defensive snap.

Grant posted 10 tackles (seven solo) during Saturday's 17-9 loss to the Ravens.

Grant led the team in stops and notched his third double-digit tackle performance of the campaign. The 2021 second-round pick has yet to miss a game this season, totaling a career-high 107 tackles, seven pass defenses and two interceptions in his first season as a full-time starter.

Grant totaled nine tackles (four solo), including one for loss, during Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Steelers.

Grant finished second on the team in stops behind Rashaan Evans (15) and fell one short of his third double-digit tackle performance of the campaign. Across 13 appearances, the second-year safety has totaled 91 tackles, seven pass defenses and two interceptions while playing nearly every defensive snap.

Grant recorded eight tackles (three solo) and two pass deflections in Thursday's 25-15 loss to Carolina.

Grant was busy again Thursday, registering at least eight tackles for the third time this year while also playing a season-high 16 snaps on special teams. Additionally, the safety was able to get a finger on a couple passes, raising his pass deflection total to seven on the season. Grant has compiled 70 tackles, seven pass deflections and two interceptions while playing in all 10 games this year.

Grant recorded 11 tackles (five solo) and one interception during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Chargers.

Grant recorded a season-high 11 tackles, finishing second on the team behind Rashaan Evans (12), and notched his second interception of the campaign, which he returned for 10 yards. The second-year safety has flourished in his first season as a full-time starter, recording 62 tackles, five pass defenses and two interceptions across the first nine games of the campaign.

Grant recorded seven tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 21-15 loss to Tampa Bay.

Grant burst onto the scene with 10 tackles during the season opener and has recorded at least five stops in each game since, giving him 35 total across five appearances. The 2021 second-round pick is flourishing in his first year as a full-time starter and will look to continue his hot start to the campaign against the 49ers in Week 6.

Grant totaled seven tackles, two pass defenses and one interception during Sunday's 27-23 win over the Seahawks.

Grant sealed the Falcons' first win of the season with an interception in the red zone with under two minutes left. Across three appearances, the safety has 23 tackles (13 solo), three pass defenses and one interception.

Grant recorded 10 tackles (five solo) and one pass defense during Sunday's 27-26 loss to the Saints.

Grant played all put one defensive snap and recorded a team-high 10 tackles during his first game as a full-time starter. The second-year safety appeared in 16 games as a rookie, totaling 35 tackles, two pass defenses and one forced fumble across 257 defensive snaps, but he's set for an increased role in 2022 after beating out Dean Marlowe and Erik Harris for a starting gig.

Grant played 12 defensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Friday's preseason loss to the Lions.

Grant drew the start at strong safety and played 12 snaps across two defensive possessions. The 2021 second-round pick appeared in 16 games as a rookie and totaled 35 tackles. He never settled into a starter's role last year, but with Atlanta in the midst of a rebuild, it appears he'll get a shot to seize a starting gig to start 2022.

Grant (illness) has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, according to Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site.

The safety entered the COVID-19 protocols after testing positive Tuesday, but he has since delivered two negative tests and should be eligible to face the Bills on Sunday. Grant hasn't been able to settle as a regular starter for Atlanta in his rookie year and has played more than 40 percent of the defensive snaps in just three games this season.

Grant (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Tori McElhaney and Scott Bair of the Falcons' official website report.

The safety will enter league protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 Tuesday. Grant's availability to play in Week 17 against the Bills is now in question and if he's unable to go, Shawn Williams could step into a larger role in the secondary.

Grant (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday.

Grant missed the Falcons' win over the Panthers on Sunday, but a return to practicing in full should have him on the field Sunday against the 49ers. The rookie second-round selection has 27 tackles (22 solo), a forced fumble and pass defensed on the season, playing in a reserve role at safety.

Grant (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Panthers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Grant was able to return to practice in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday, but he will ultimately miss his first game of the season. In his absence, Darren Hall and Avery Williams are both candidates for increased snaps in the slot.

Grant (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.

Grant didn't practice Wednesday, but he was able to participate in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday. If Grant is unable to suit up, then Darren Hall and Avery Williams are both candidates for increased snaps in the slot.

Grant is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Grant has slowly seen his role increase throughout his rookie season. That continued Sunday as he logged three tackles prior to the injury, though his ability to return to the field is now in doubt.