Falcons lose Jalon Walker (ACL) for ’26

Walker will have an MRI to confirm, but this is a brutal runout for a Falcons pass rusher unit that already had plenty of question marks. The second-year player was carted off after suffering the injury earlier today.

It’s too early to know for sure, of course, but the scene around the injury was not good. He was carted off with his face in his palm, his teammates were all taking knees around him, and the coaching staff concluded the practice after the play. It certainly has all the things you’d associate with a long-term injury.

Penix practiced in the days leading up to Week 8’s game against the Dolphins but was ultimately ruled out in favor of Kirk Cousins. The second-year quarterback is one of several Falcons players who are day-to-day to start the week, as Morris also said S Jessie Bates (ankle), DL Zach Harrison (knee), CB Billy Bowman (hamstring), and EDGE Jalon Walker (groin) would also be day-to-day to open the week. Penix appears to be trending in the right direction but if he’s unable to go, Cousins would again draw the start on the road against the Patriots.

Falcons rookie slot DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) and LB Divine Deablo (forearm) have also been ruled out. None of the three practiced this week. On the plus side, LT Jake Matthews (ankle) will play. The defensive injuries soften up the Falcons’ interior, which benefits Dolphins RB De’Von Achane.

Falcons rookie DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) will also be out this week. Losing two standout rookies for a bout with the 49ers’ efficient passing attack is unfortunate, but the Falcons’ defense as a whole has played well this year. Walker has totaled nine tackles, eight quarterback pressures and one sack. Bowman boasts 13 tackles, one pass breakup and one interception.

Per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Walker “missed the 11-on-11 portion of practice Thursday and missed the previous two practices.” Raimondi did not clarify whether Walker was able to return for individual drills. Walker has plenty of time to recover and ramp up for the regular season. Hopefully, he returns in time for preseason play.

The team’s official website estimates the deal will be worth $20.56 million, based on numbers provided by Over The Cap. The Falcons have also officially listed Walker, who lined up as a hybrid linebacker/EDGE at Georgia, as an EDGE on their roster. Walker is expected to serve as a defensive cornerstone for the foreseeable future and is expected to add hybrid linebacker duties to his job scope soon enough.

Walker (6’1/243) hails from a football family, with his father being a former D2 All-American and well-regarded high school football coach and his brother being a DB at Georgia State. He led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks with 26 pressures in 2023 despite serving as a rotational player who logged just 126 pass rush reps. Walker finally got a chance to start last year and made the most of his opportunity as a hybrid linebacker/edge, producing 60 tackles while leading the Dawgs with 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a 17.2 percent pass rush win percentage. The Third-Team AP All-American was also adorned with the coveted Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. A twitchy athlete with sudden explosiveness and enough power to crack and stonewall pulling linemen, Walker hones in on ballcarriers like a lion in the Serengeti. However, he’s also a cerebral, savvy player who takes good pursuit lines and is always in the right position. On the pass rush, he posted incredible 45 percent-plus win percentages with his overarm move, inside counter, and a ferocious bull rush. The big issue with Walker is his tweener proportions make him ill-suited for full-time edge work, and off-ball linebackers don’t have the same devastating effect on opposing game plans. Regardless, Walker is a premium talent whose versatility and high football character make him a safe and projectable talent.

The Panthers (pick No. 8) have regularly been linked to Georgia LB Jalon Walker. The Buccaneers enter the draft with just six picks and could reasonably trade back from No. 19 in order to add one or two Day 2 selections. Seahawks GM John Schneider’s penchant for trading back has aggravated fans for years, and the team has glaring needs along the offensive line. Rapoport casts a wide net with his list, but his inclusion of these three teams is worth tracking as the draft gets underway.

The two players have reportedly “won the interview process” with their character and talent. Schrager adds that “you will not find a coach or general manager who doesn’t just rave about both young men.” Egbuka was a three-year starter at Ohio State and averaged 2.61 yards per route run over the course of his college career. Walker played a multifaceted role in Georgia’s defense, lining up as an edge rusher and inside linebacker. He led his team with 28 quarterback pressures and a 17.2 percent pass-rush win rate this year.