The Atlanta Falcons just took a gut punch to their defensive depth, losing edge rusher Khalid Kareem to the San Francisco 49ers. What stings? This move came only days after the Falcons had just added him to their practice squad on Tuesday, with the 49ers swooping in on Friday. Talk about a brutal turnaround.
Gone In A Flash
Seriously, how fast can things change in the NFL? Kareem was a familiar face in Atlanta, having spent parts of the past two seasons there. He wasn’t always a starter, but he delivered valuable run defense and brought some pressure when he did get on the field. Now he’s headed west, and it’s not just a random signing. Kareem is reuniting with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who was his head coach in Atlanta for two seasons. That kind of connection? It matters. Players trust the guys calling the plays, and you know Morris wants him.
The Falcons Wire even reported, “Kareem, who spent the last two years in Atlanta, was just added to the team’s practice squad on Tuesday.” The window for Atlanta to react was tiny. They had to act immediately to keep their defensive depth chart intact. The 49ers saw value in a player Atlanta literally just claimed. It’s a tough break for a team trying to build up its roster quickly.
Trice Gets A Shot, Finally
With Kareem gone, the door swung wide open for Bralen Trice. He slides right into Kareem’s spot on the practice squad. Trice is a former third-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, so the talent is there. But his path to the roster has been seriously rocky. Injuries sidelined him for his initial two NFL seasons. The Falcons Wire confirmed, “Trice, a former third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, missed his first two NFL seasons due to injuries.”
His summer was quiet, and he couldn’t crack the 53-man roster. He was cut, but they brought him back to the practice squad alongside Zach Harrison, another former third-round pick. Now, as The Falcoholic put it, “Back on the practice squad, he’ll have a chance to continue to hone his craft and hope to get an opportunity to show he still has the skill that made the Falcons excited to draft him in the first place.” The Falcons have been shuffling defensive linemen like crazy since the 53-man roster deadline. They need edge help, big time. This is his moment.
The organization is clearly hopeful, with Falcons Wire stating, “Hopefully, Trice can make the most of this chance.” They lost a known veteran in Kareem but gained a high-upside player in Trice. The front office believes in that draft capital they spent. With only eight days until the Falcons play, all eyes will be on Trice in practice. If he can show that pass-rushing skill, he could earn a spot on the active roster sooner rather than later. The Falcons need every bit of help they can get on defense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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