Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss the entire 2025 NFL season after suffering a left leg injury during the team’s final training camp practice. The announcement came as the Falcons released their initial roster to meet the league’s deadline for reducing teams to 53 players.
McGary was placed on injured reserve without a designation to return, which means he is not eligible to play again this season. NFL rules allow each team two “injured reserve – designated to return” spots, enabling selected players to recover and rejoin the active roster within the same season. The Falcons have already used these spots on swing tackle Storm Norton and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham.
Head coach Raheem Morris commented on McGary’s situation following the team’s preseason finale: “significant time.” It has now been confirmed that McGary will be out for all of 2025.
The absence of both McGary and Norton—who is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks—leaves Atlanta with decisions to make regarding their starting right tackle ahead of their September 7 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Elijah Wilkinson filled in for McGary during practice but did not play in Friday’s preseason loss against the Dallas Cowboys due to precautionary reasons. During that game, rookie Jack Nelson and free-agent signing Brandon Parker played most of the snaps at tackle. Nelson made the initial roster, while Parker did not.
Additionally, earlier Tuesday, Atlanta traded a conditional 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for offensive lineman Michael Jerrell.
With waivers still pending and practice squads yet to be finalized, further changes are expected soon for Atlanta’s roster.
