Kaleb McGary suffered an injury during Wednesday practice and will miss significant time, with the Falcons expected to place him on injured reserve possibly with a return designation. The 30-year-old recently signed a two-year, $15 million extension and was projected as Michael Penix's blind side protector. Atlanta's tackle room is already thin: Storm Norton is recovering from ankle surgery and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is out for the year. Elijah Wilkinson and Brandon Parker have prior right-tackle experience and are candidates to step in. Rookie Jack Nelson and UDFA Jordan Williams could provide additional depth if needed.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced that starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss "significant time" with an injury suffered in Wednesday's practice. McGary went down during individual drills and had to be carted off the field. Morris indicated that the six-year veteran will land on injured reserve, though that could come with a return designation if the Falcons believe he can return this season.
Morris specifically mentioned Elijah Wilkinson as a player who is expected to step up amid the injuries. He's currently listed as the backup left guard on the Falcons' unofficial depth chart, but the eight-year veteran moved to left tackle for the team's second preseason. He also has 20 career starts at right tackle, though the last came in 2021.
Brandon Parker is listed as Atlanta's backup right tackle, but has lined up at left tackle in the preseason. Like Wilkinson, he has plenty of past experience at right tackle as well. Rookie Jack Nelson could also be a factor after starting both preseason games at right tackle, but the seventh-rounder may not be trusted to protect Penix's blind side right away.
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