FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the practice field with a possible lower left leg injury Wednesday, giving the team a new challenge as it prepares for Friday night’s preseason finale against the host Dallas Cowboys.
The Falcons said an update on McGary, a first-round pick in the 2019 draft who has started 92 of 93 games, would be provided “at the appropriate time” after an MRI scan.
If the Falcons are without McGary, who recently signed a contract extension through the 2027 season, they will have to find a new blocker to protect the blind side of left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the 2024 first-round pick who started the final three games last season and has remained atop the depth chart.
“It’s very saddening to us, a starting tackle, to lose him like that in practice,” said rookie defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. “You never want that stuff to happen. Ultimately we’ve got his back, and we’re going to go out there and fight for him, and hopefully he has a speedy recovery.”
Bowman said McGary is “a guy who does all the dirty work for us. He’s a guy who means a lot to a lot of people here and this club.”
The Falcons’ latest depth chart listed six-year veteran Brandon Parker and rookie Jack Nelson as McGary’s top backups. Veteran lineman Elijah Wilkinson, who has played both tackle and guard in his eight-year NFL career, moved in to replace McGary in Wednesday’s practice. Another backup, Storm Norton, has an undisclosed lower body injury and is not expected to play against Dallas.
McGary’s injury came less than an hour after coach Raheem Morris announced plans to hold out most starters against the Cowboys. He said Penix and veteran backup Kirk Cousins will not play, meaning neither will have taken a snap in a preseason game, though both put in extended work in last week’s joint practices with the Tennessee Titans.
Morris also said the team’s two first-round picks from this year’s draft, edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, will be held out as well.
“It’s not just starters but significant people on the team I don’t need to see things from,” Morris said of players who will be held out against Dallas. “For me it’s about mitigating injury (risk).”
Morris had also expressed confidence in the team’s offensive line depth.
“I’ve been really pleased with the depth of the offensive line since I’ve been here, just in general,” said Morris, who is entering his second season as head coach in Atlanta. “There are not a lot of places you feel good about not only a two-deep (rotation) but a two-deep plus as far as our offensive line. We’ve got people who have played significant snaps for us.”
Morris said Norton’s injury has allowed Nelson to receive “a significant amount of work.” Morris also mentioned Wilkinson’s versatility and starting experience as a reason for optimism.