Ex-Falcons safety Erik Harris to sign with 49ers

The Atlanta Falcons underwent a bit of a defensive overhaul during the 2023 offseason. The team hired Ryan Nielsen as the defensive coordinator and signed several big-name free agents, including Jessie Bates, David Onyemata and Calais Campbell.

This left a few members of last year’s team without a new contract when the 2023 season began. One of the players left unsigned was Erik Harris. The veteran safety appeared in 26 games with 13 starts for the Falcons from 2021-2022.

It appears that Harris has found a new home. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that Harris is expected to sign with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.

Free agent safety Erik Harris is expected to sign with the #49ers practice squad, source said. Most recently with the #Falcons, Harris joins SF — which had been looking for a veteran addition.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 28, 2023

Harris provided good value when Atlanta was stuck in salary cap hell. If Harris ends up on the 49ers’ 53-man roster, he’ll reunite with former Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver.