FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker is feared to have a torn ACL, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Steve Wyche.
Walker will have an MRI to confirm the injury from practice Tuesday, which drew an emotional reaction from Falcons players after the second-year linebacker was carted off. A confirmed ACL tear likely would end Walker's 2026 season before it began.
Walker went down during an 11-on-11 play late in practice and was immediately attended to by trainers. Falcons players all took a knee on the field, seemingly indicating the potential severity of the injury. A cart came out and took Walker off the field. An aircast was not applied, but Walker had his head in his palm as he departed on the cart.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski ended practice after the injury, about 45 minutes earlier than scheduled.
The Falcons drafted Walker with the No. 15 pick in 2025 out of the nearby University of Georgia. He had 5.5 sacks last season as a rookie, and the Falcons were relying on him to take a leap in production this season.
Edge rusher is a bit of a vulnerable position for the Falcons heading into this season.
James Pearce Jr., also a first-round pick in 2025, was arrested on domestic violence charges back in February. Those charges will be dropped if he stays out of trouble for one year, but the NFL could suspend him for an undetermined period of time if the league considers what he did a violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
The Falcons signed Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas and Azeez Ojulari for pass-rush depth. They also have former third-round pick Bralen Trice returning after two seasons lost to back-to-back torn ACLs.