Kaleb

McGary

Most players placed on IR are placed on IR-return, but McGary’s knee injury was serious enough that he was placed on the season-ending version of injured reserve. Michael Jerrell, who the Falcons traded for earlier today, could get a chance to fill in at right tackle with both McGary and Storm Norton out. There’s no timetable for McGary’s return at the moment.

Jerrell will likely operate in a swing role for the Falcons, although this deal likely has at least something to do with the health of Kaleb McGary (leg). The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick by Seattle in 2024.

Things were trending in this direction when McGary’s injury was first reported, but Morris confirmed everyone’s suspicions after Friday’s preseason game against the Cowboys. The veteran tackle signed a two-year, $30 million extension this offseason, and looks like a near lock to open the season on injured reserve. The Falcons will now look to run out their third-string right tackle as Storm Norton (ankle) is also set to miss multiple weeks.

The severity of his leg injury is not yet known, but McGary went down in practice and required an MRI yesterday. With Storm Norton also hurt, the Falcons will be on RT3 at the start of the season at the very least. It’s possible that this is an injury that sends McGary to IR-return, and we wouldn’t rule out that it was a season-ender based on the descriptions.

It feels likely that Norton will grab a PUP or IR listing at final cuts if this estimate holds. The veteran tackle has played in 31 games for the Falcons over the last two seasons, starting four. With Kaleb McGary going down in practice and requiring an MRI today, it is possible the Falcons are playing a third-string right tackle in Week 1.

McGary is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2023 and will now be under contract with the Falcons through the 2027 season. The veteran right tackle started all 16 games he appeared in for the Falcons last season and earned a PFF offensive grade of 73.8. McGary, who is a right tackle, will be tasked with protecting the blindside of left-handed QB Michael Penix Jr. this season. Last year, he allowed six sacks on 32 pressures.

McGary only missed one game after suffering a knee injury in Week 3. He is good to for forr Atlanta’s matchup with the Bucs. Linebacker Troy Andersen was ruled out with a knee injury of his own.

Injured in Week 3, McGary has at least avoided injured reserve, suggesting he is truly week to week. His absence isn’t the best news for Bijan Robinson, but it’s not a rankings-effecter. Storm Norton is filling in.

McGary had a chance to suit up this week but the team opted to hold him out after testing his injured knee out on Friday. Backup T Storm Norton is expected to start in McGary’s stead.

This is great news for McGary, who some feared would miss some time with the injury. While it’s possible he could miss a game, we’ll likely get a better sense of of Week 4 availability when the team’s practice report drops on Wednesday. It’s also great news for the Falcons, who are expected to lose center Drew Dalman for a few weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain against the Chiefs. McGary’s status will be one to watch as the Falcons prepare for a Week 4 matchup against the Saints.