Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons sign quarterback Matt Simms

Falcons quarterback Matt Simms passes against the Jaguars in a NFL exhibition game Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Matt Simms passes against the Jaguars in a NFL exhibition game Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
Aug 3, 2019

Because backup quarterback Kurt Benkert sustained a severe toe injury, the Falcons signed Matt Simms on Saturday, the team confirmed.

Benkert, who completed 19 of 34 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown in a 14-10 loss to the Broncos on Thursday, was injured in the fourth quarter of the Pro Football Hall of Fame game.

After the game, coach Dan Quinn said the team would add a quarterback if Benkert’s injury was serious.

Simms last played for the Atlanta Legends of the defunct Alliance of American Football League.

He was with the Falcons from 2015-17 on the practice squad.

Simms, who played at Tennessee, is the son of former New York Giants great Phil Simms.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) is unable to catch the ball under pressure from Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons will be without two key starters for Sunday’s matchup vs. Seahawks

A quick look at the candidates the Falcons bypassed for head coach in 2024

“Winning is our job. That’s just what it is," Falcons coach Raheem Morris says. Here's a look at the 13 coaches who, with Morris, were candidates for the Falcons job in 2024.

Covering the new dynamic kickoff has been an issue for the Falcons

The Falcons (4-8) will need to cover kicks better when they face the Seahawks (9-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) is unable to catch the ball under pressure from Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons will be without two key starters for Sunday’s matchup vs. Seahawks

Covering the new dynamic kickoff has been an issue for the Falcons

A quick look at the candidates the Falcons bypassed for head coach in 2024

Featured

Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

A viral confrontation and a sudden resignation shake up Georgia GOP

The man behind the vigilante sting operation that apparently netted a teenage GOP official says he has no regrets.

Why the Atlanta school board voted to close and repurpose some schools

Sixteen schools will be repurposed under the APS Forward 2040 plan as enrollment falls and the district seeks better resources for students.

Small-town Georgia DA brings almost as many RICO cases as Fulton’s Fani Willis

Griffin Judicial Circuit has brought 13 RICO indictments since June 2020.