Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary carted off practice field

D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Aug 20, 2025

Published in Football

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary went down with an injury on the practice field Wednesday and was carted off for further examination.

The injury appeared to be to McGary’s left leg, and the team huddled around McGary before he was taken off.

“Kaleb McGary was carted off. He’s receiving an MRI and we’ll have an update at the appropriate time,” a team spokesperson said after practice.

Coach Raheem Morris, who spoke before practice, was not made available to the media after practice.

The injury happened as the team was finishing off individual drills.

Elijah Wilkinson took over for McGary at right tackle after practice continued.

McGary recently signed a two-year contract extension to solidify the Falcons’ line and anchor an offense that has higher expectations this season with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. named the starter.

A first-round pick in 2019, McGary has served as a starter since, paired with Chris Lindstrom, also a first-round pick that season.

The Falcons already were missing Storm Norton, who was out. He had ankle surgery Tuesday and will miss six to eight weeks, according to an ESPN report. Norton backed up McGary and Jake Matthews last season as the team’s swing tackle.

Norton’s agent, Joe Linta, confirmed the surgery to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but noted that the six to eight weeks was an estimate before the procedure. Norton is waiting to hear from the doctor on a more accurate time frame.

“I’ve been really pleased with the depth of the offensive line since I’ve been here, just in general,” Morris said before practice. “Not a lot of places that you can go and you feel good about a two-deep — let alone a two-deep-plus — as far as the offensive line.”

Wilkinson is 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds. He has played in 79 NFL games and made 45 starts. He started nine games at left guard for the Falcons in 2022. He also has played with the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals after playing in college at Massachusetts.

“We’ve got people (who) have played significant snaps for us, whether you’re talking about (Ryan) Neuzil stepping in last year to play some center for us,” Morris said. “Storm to play some tackle for us. Obviously, (Kyle) Hinton has stepped in to play some guard for us when people were down. So, you feel really good about those guys who have played for you.”

The Falcons also have Brandon Parker and rookies Jack Nelson and Jordan Williams as offensive tackles on the 90-man training-camp roster.

“Having the ability to be with Parker and Wilkinson, who has gotten significant starter reps in the National Football League and those guys have been with us for a while,” Morris said. “All of those guys in that backup line. Jack Nelson being able to get as many reps as he’s been able to get in this (exhibition) season really has the up arrow on him.”

Nelson, who was drafted in the seventh round out of Wisconsin, started the first two exhibition games at right tackle.

“Jack has got an significant amount of work this year because of the Storm injury, and it’s been really helpful for that young man,” Morris said.

Before the injury, the Falcons believed their offensive line was one of the stronger units on the team. If McGary is out for a while, that will hurt the unit and the depth.

“I feel really good about the depth of the (offensive) line,” Morris said.

The players were concerned about McGary’s injury.

“It’s very sad to us,” rookie defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. said. “A starting tackle, to lose him like that in practice, you never want that stuff to happen. But ultimately, we’ve got his back. We’re going to go out there and fight for him, and hopefully, he has a speedy recovery.”

McGary, who has been a punishing run-blocker for the Falcons, is well-liked by the team.

“As a rookie and being on the other side of the ball, there’s not too much that I see,” Bowman said. “But I just know that in some of the team meetings and stuff like that, having him stand up (and speak), he’s a guy who does all of the dirty work for us. He means a lot to a lot of people here on this club.”

Newly signed cornerback C.J. Henderson also was moved by the injury.

“I know he (has made) a huge impact (on) this offense,” Henderson said. “So, I’ll be praying for him, hoping for a speedy recovery.”

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