Falcons Tackle McGary Placed on Season-Ending IR After Leg Injury

Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss the entire 2025 season after being placed on injured reserve without a designation to return due to a leg injury sustained in practice. McGary, who signed a two-year, $30 million extension earlier in August, was expected to protect left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s blind side and bolster the run game. Backup swing tackle Storm Norton, who would have been McGary's replacement, is also sidelined with ankle surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks, leaving versatile offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson to likely start at right tackle. To address the depth issue, the Falcons acquired tackle Michael Jerrell from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed the severity of the situation, emphasizing the significant time McGary will be sidelined. The Falcons open their season on September 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, facing the challenge of shuffling their offensive line without McGary.