Falcons face troubling new concern that threatens to complicate Michael Penix Jr.’s development in his first full season as the starter
Things are looking a little unsettling off of Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside with the start of the season creeping closer…
Things are looking a little unsettling for the Atlanta Falcons at what has been one of their most stable positions in recent memory. With the Falcons rolling into the 2025 season with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. installed as the team’s starting quarterback, his protection unit is going through a bit of adversity to close training camp. Offensive tackle has been a strength of this roster — but attrition is hitting hard.
The full extent of the issue is yet to be fully established but it’s an unnerving development for the offense nonetheless. Atlanta, as of this afternoon, is going to be down two offensive tackles for a period of time. Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary is going to miss ‘some time’.
Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will ‘miss time’ after Wednesday practice injury, per report
McGary holds value as a starting offensive tackle but his worth to the Falcons is amplified by Michael Penix Jr. being a left-handed quarterback — which makes McGary his blindside protector. Practice reports on Wednesday had McGary going off the field on the dreaded cart. But the cart usage this time of year is much more liberal than it would be during games and, accordingly, there was some hope that this would serve as a false alarm for anything serious.
What we know now offers little clarity on how severe McGary’s “apparent leg injury” is, as well as the extent of the damage. But the timing couldn’t be worse, as fellow Falcons offensive tackle Storm Norton just underwent ankle surgery and was ruled out of the lineup for 6-8 weeks for his own recovery. That has him slotted as a possible ‘IR-to-return’ designation when the team cuts down to 53 players next week.
The injury leaves 2025 seventh-round draft choice Jack Nelson and veteran Brandon Parker as the two most prominent remaining tackles on the depth chart for the Falcons opposite Jake Matthews. Expect there to be some movement here for Atlanta to bolster the room — but options are limited. Veteran George Fant just signed in Washington earlier this week, offering a frustrating near miss for Atlanta to offer someone who could hold the position down with respectability.
It’s now time for the Falcons to hope whatever additional information that trickles in for McGary is better than the first round of news and that his timeline to return is sooner rather than later. If not, things could get pretty rough for the Falcons on Penix Jr.’s blindside to start the season.
Atlanta Falcons News
The Falcons are set to sign a former first-round draft pick to compete in a cornerback room filled with opportunity
The Atlanta Falcons are adding a former first-round pick to their secondary midway through August.
