Following the Falcons final preseason game on Friday night, head coach Raheem Morris confirmed starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss “significant time” after being carted off the field at practice earlier in the week.
Raheem Morris says RT Kaleb McGary is expected to miss “significant time” due to his injury. Mentioned an IR designation could be coming.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) August 23, 2025
Additionally, the situation at right tackle — which is responsible for protecting first-year starting quarterback Michael Penix‘s blindside — got infinitely worse when it was also revealed that backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent surgery on his ankle and will miss 6-8 weeks. In an instant, the Falcons find themselves down to their third string right tackle with not much time left before the start of the season.
Internally, the options the Falcons have to fill the void are not exactly inspiring, with Raheem Morris mentioning Elijah Wilkinson, Jack Nelson, and Brandon Parker as candidates.
Raheem Morris mentioned Elijah Wilkinson, Brandon Parker and Jack Nelson as guys who could step up in Kaleb McGary’s absence.
Wilkinson did not play Friday, and Raheem said that had to do with their injury situation at tackle. Seems like he could be first in line.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) August 23, 2025
Wilkinson, who sat out Friday’s preseason finale out of an abundance of caution, looks to be first in line for starting reps if the Falcons don’t bring someone in from the outside. However, that’s not an option.
Terry Fontenot’s top priority now is finding a competent starting tackle, and it likely must happen through a trade. This isn’t a position the Falcons can just gloss over and hope for the best. It can completely doom the entire season and also puts Michael Penix Jr. at serious risk. Whatever it takes, a significant addition must be brought in to replace McGary and Norton.
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Photographer: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
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