Atlanta Falcons officially sign Justin Simmons and release wide receiver

The Atlanta Falcons have officially signed star free agent safety Justin Simmons, the team announced in a press release on Sunday.

Simmons has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Falcons for up to $8 million. The former Denver Broncos star will line up at the safety position alongside All-Pro Jessie Bates |||.

He was a second-team All-Pro selection in four of the last five years and made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career last season in Denver.

WATCH: Justin Simmons Highlights

In the correspondence, Atlanta released receiver James Washington, who signed with the team on July 29 but did not make much of an impact in the preseason.

A second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Washington won the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the best receiver in college football, as a senior at Oklahoma State University in 2017.

During his time with the Steelers, Washington played in 60 games, starting 25 of them. He caught 114 passes for 1,629 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 228 attempts.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Washington had the most productive season of his career in 2019, converting 80 targeted passes into 44 catches for 735 yards and three touchdowns. Although his numbers declined in 2020, he set a career-high with five touchdowns.

During his two years in Pittsburgh with current Falcons receivers coach Ike Hilliard, Washington appeared in 31 games and started nine times. On 100 targets, the player from Stamford, Texas, caught 54 passes for 677 yards and reached the end zone seven times.

After his rookie contract expired in the spring of 2022, Washington signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Although he was viewed as a solid addition, Washington instead spent over three months rehabbing a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

After his return on December 10, Washington appeared in two games but failed to produce statistics. He joined the New York Giants' practice squad for the postseason but did not play in a game.

The 28-year-old Washington spent the 2023 season on two practice squads, starting with the New Orleans Saints and ending with the Indianapolis Colts.

Atlanta's receiver room had numerous opportunities to make the roster, especially after Rondale Moore tore his ACL during joint training sessions with the Dolphins.

But Washington’s term ended prematurely – while Simmons’ has officially already begun.