Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker will miss the entire 2026 NFL season due to a torn ACL. Walker went down at Tuesday's practice and had to be carted off of the field. This injury is a major blow to Atlanta's front seven, especially considering the progress it made during the 2025 season (franchise record 57 sacks).
The Falcons drafted Walker with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Georgia Bulldog finished second among rookies with 5.5 sacks last season, while adding 36 tackles (24 solo), five tackles for loss, nine QB hits and two forced fumbles.
Source: Tests confirmed an ACL tear for Falcons’ Jalon Walker.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 5, 2026
While James Peace Jr. has received more headlines (both on and off of the field), Walker is the more versatile
of the two former first-round picks. With Pearce facing a potential suspension, the Falcons will likely bring in an additional free agent for depth.
The team signed veterans Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari, both of whom have starting experience. Ebukam has been impressing in camp and would the early favorite to replace Walker, although he lacks the versatility. We'll see what other moves Atlanta makes.
Check out the Falcons' current 90-man roster below.
Quarterbacks (4)
- Michael Penix Jr. (9)
- Tua Tagovailoa (1)
- Cooper Rush (13)
- Jack Strand (18)
Running Backs (5)
- Bijan Robinson (7)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
- Tyler Goodson (25)
- Nathan Carter (38)
- Cash Jones (32)
Wide Receivers (10)
- Drake London (5)
- Jahan Dotson (4)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
- Zachariah Branch (17)
- Chris Blair (19)
- Dylan Drummond (80)
- Antwane Wells Jr. (59)
- Vinny Anthony II (86)
- Le’Meke Brockington (88)
- Keelan Marion (85)
Tight Ends (5)
- Kyle Pitts (8)
- Austin Hooper (81)
- Charlie Woerner (89)
- Joshua Simon (47)
- Jack Velling (84)
Offensive Linemen (17)
- Wanya Morris (79)
- Jake Matthews (70)
- Matthew Bergeron (65)
- Ryan Neuzil (64)
- Chris Lindstrom (63)
- Jawaan Taylor (71) PUP LIST
- Ethan Onianwa (75)
- Andrew Stueber (74)
- Kyle Hinton (68)
- Jack Nelson (69)
- Michael Jerrell (72)
- Corey Levin (62)
- Riley Mahlman (76)
- James Brockermeyer (66)
- Kam Dewberry (61)
- Layden Robinson (73)
- Brandon Walton (67)
Defensive Linemen (10)
- Brandon Dorlus (54)
- Maason Smith(92)
- Marlon Tuipulotu (TBD)
- Da'Shawn Hand (90)
- Chris Williams (93)
- LaCale London (94)
- Devonnsha Maxwell (91)
- Zach Harrison (96) NFI list
- Carlos Allen Jr. (79)
- Anterio Thompson (98) NFI LIST
Linebackers (10)
- Divine Deablo (0)
- Kendal Daniels (53)
- Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
- Christian Harris (45)
- Channing Tindall (55)
- JD Bertrand (40)
- Malik Verdon (43)
- Josh Woods (46)
- Troy Andersen (44) PUP LIST
- Daveren Rayner (42)
EDGE (7)
- Jalon Walker (11)
- James Pearce Jr. (27)
- Bralen Trice (48)
- Azeez Ojulari (51)
- Samson Ebukam (52)
- Keshawn Banks (59)
- Cameron Thomas (99)
Cornerbacks (13)
- A.J. Terrell (24)
- Avieon Terrell (12)
- Mike Hughes (21)
- Billy Bowman Jr. (33) PUP LIST
- Darnay Holmes (30)
- Natrone Brooks (35)
- Cobee Bryant (37)
- Clark Phillips III (22)
- C.J. Henderson (26)
- Mike Ford Jr. (28)
- A.J. Woods (20)
- Darren Hall (41)
- Malcolm DeWalt (36)
Safeties (5)
- Jessie Bates III (3)
- Xavier Watts (31)
- DeMarcco Hellams (23)
- Sydney Brown (29)
- Jammie Robinson (34)
Special Teams (5)*
- LS: Liam McCullough (49)
- K: Nick Folk (6)
- P: Jake Bailey (16)
- LS Philip Florenzo (46)
- P: Matthew Hayball (39)*
*Mathew Hayball does not count against the 90-man roster since he is the team's designated international player.
Reserves
- OT Storm Norton (Reserve/PUP)
- LB DeAngelo Malone (Reserve/PUP)
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons star LB out for season with torn ACL
