Damiere Byrd visiting receiver-needy Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons' passing attack will have a new look in 2022. Quarterback Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, star wide receiver Calvin Ridley is sidelined through at least the 2022 season due to a suspension related to betting on league games, and fellow wideout Russell Gage signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he was recruited by Tom Brady. 

In short, the Falcons need offensive weapons. Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, 29-year-old receiver Damiere Byrd visited with Atlanta on Tuesday. Byrd also recently met with the Las Vegas Raiders, who let him leave without signing a contract. 

Byrd spent the 2021 campaign with the Chicago Bears and recorded 26 receptions for 329 yards and a touchdown across 17 games. He previously completed stints with the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots. 

For a piece published on March 9, Ryan Fedrau of Bears Wire/USA Today noted Byrd doesn't handle return duties on special teams and, thus, is little more than an inexpensive depth receiver. However, the Falcons lost out on Tre’Quan Smith when he decided to re-sign with the New Orleans Saints after testing free-agency. Atlanta did add Auden Tate on Monday but could still use bodies at the position.