DONE DEAL: Falcons are pleased to Announced the signing of prolific veteran wide receiver

Damiere Byrd’s 2023 has been marked by NFC South reunions. The veteran receiver returned to the Panthers earlier this year, but an injury derailed his comeback to the team. A Falcons return will begin months later.

According to a team announcement, the veteran wide receiver signed a practice squad agreement with the Falcons on Thursday. Byrd, 30, spent last season with Atlanta after joining as a free agency in the offseason of 2022. He is now back in Georgia as a possible backup.

Byrd was able to relocate for the second time this year because to an injury settlement. Byrd signed with the Panthers in mid-April and returned to his former NFL team for training camp. However, a “significant” hamstring injury caused Byrd to be placed on injured reserve. Byrd’s placement on injured reserve prior to the season precludes him from being activated as a Panther, and the parties reached an injury settlement in late August. This returned Byrd to free agency, and his hamstring ailment appeared to have recovered.

Byrd initially agreed to terms with the Falcons on a one-year, $1.32 million contract. For the first time since 2017-18, the South Carolina alum will be connected to a practice squad pay and will have the opportunity to play for the same team in consecutive years. Byrd has been an NFL nomad since his rookie deal with the Panthers expired. From 2019 to 22, the 5-foot-9 pass-catcher bounced throughout Arizona, New England, Chicago, and Atlanta.

While Byrd’s greatest season (47 catches, 604 yards) came back with Cam Newton — when the two ex-Panthers linked up on a Patriots one-timer – he achieved his highest per-catch total with the Falcons. Last season, Byrd averaged 20.6 yards per reception and totaled 268 yards and two scores in Arthur Smith’s scheme. The return of a player familiar with the Falcons’ offense should hasten a potential promotion to the active roster.

The Falcons have added two veterans to their receiving corps in the last two weeks, as well as trading for Van Jefferson. The team’s wideout corps, led by Drake London, includes offseason newcomers Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller, as well as KhaDarel Hodge, who re-signed this year. The Falcons placed wide receiver Keilahn Harris on the practice squad injured list to make way for Byrd on their 16-man taxi squad.