Falcons Lose No. 15 Pick Jalon Walker for 2026 Season to Torn ACL
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 5
Falcons Lose No. 15 Pick Jalon Walker for 2026 Season to Torn ACL
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 5
Summary
Atlanta confirmed Wednesday that Jalon Walker tore his ACL late in Tuesday's practice, ending the second-year edge rusher's 2026 season.
Walker was carted off after going down during an 11-on-11 play, and the session ended early as teammates knelt on the field amid an emotional reaction.
The 2025 first-round pick had 5.5 sacks as a rookie, and Atlanta had counted on him to make a bigger jump this season.
Edge depth already looked shaky: James Pearce Jr. could still face NFL discipline, while Samson Ebukam, Cameron Thomas, Azeez Ojulari and returning Bralen Trice now loom larger in the rotation.