The second-year linebacker has been positioned on the group’s reserve/injured listing after tearing his ACL throughout coaching camp.
Will McFadden
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The Atlanta Falcons positioned exterior linebacker Jalon Walker on the reserve/injured listing on Thursday after hesuffered an ACL injuryduring Tuesday’s coaching camp follow.
It was introduced Wednesday that Walker wouldmiss the remainderof the 2026 season as a result of damage, and Thursday’s transfer confirms that.
“Man, he was definitely coming into his own,” Falcons defensive finish Samson Ebukam stated. “He was rushing the crap out of the passer. He was playing the run great. He was dropping great. He was a huge part of this defense. So, definitely going to miss him. But he’s still going to be here, though. Still going to be here helping out everybody.”
The Falcons chosen Walker with the fifteenth choose within the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Walker had 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 compelled fumbles and a fumble restoration. According to Next Gen Stats, Walker’s 27 pressures have been the seventh-most amongst rookies final season and his 10.3% stress charge ranked fourth.
In his second season below defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Walker’s function was anticipated to broaden to benefit from the flexibility he gives as an off-ball defender. He was constantly working with the first-team unit off the left edge and instructed reporters he labored laborious all through the offseason to enhance all sides of his sport.
“Nobody is a perfect player,” Walker stated. “Nobody is that ideal player. Everybody’s game can improve each year. All realms of my game run stopping, pass rush, leadership it’s all very important to my values, and putting my effort into that is very important to me.”
Without Walker within the lineup, the Falconsrotated by a number of completely different playersduring Wednesday’s camp follow and can proceed to cross-train gamers to find out who provides them the most suitable choice off the sting.
In a corresponding transfer, the Falcons have claimed defensive again Keidron Smith.
Smith, who’s 6-foot-2 and 210 kilos, started coaching camp with the New York Jets. He was signed by the Jets late final season off the Denver Broncos follow squad and had 15 tackles in three video games whereas making one begin at security. Smith started his NFL profession as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins. He spent a short while on the Commanders’ follow squad earlier than becoming a member of the Broncos’ follow squad in December 2023. Smith made the Broncos’ 53-man roster in 2024 and appeared in 9 video games whereas principally taking part in on particular groups.
Up Next
VideosRobert Mays, Steve Wyche, & a FULL follow report from Atlanta Falcons AT&T Training Camp | PodcastMoviesMatthew Bergeron is mic’d up for the primary day of pads at AT&T Training Camp | Atlanta FalconsMoviesKevin Stefanski Mic’d Up at AT&T Training CampVideosRunning Back Bijan Robinson AT&T Training Camp Press Conference | August 05, 2026 | Atlanta FalconsVideosQuarterback Michael Penix Jr. displays on progress made at AT&T Training Camp | Press ConferenceMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers and coaches converse following follow at AT&T Training CampMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers and coaches converse following follow at AT&T Training CampVideosQuarterback Tua Tagovailoa on development by first week of AT&T Training Camp | Press ConferenceVideosQuarterback updates, first yr standouts, & MORE from AT&T Training Camp! | Falcons Audible PodcastMoviesHeadvert Coach Kevin Stefanski AT&T Training Camp Press Conference | August 04, 2026 | Atlanta FalconsVideosAzeez Ojulari & Jalon Walker on UGA soccer, Kirby Smart & 2026 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training CampMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers converse on the primary day of full pads at AT&T Training CampVideosA.J. Terrell Jr. & Avieon Terrell discuss ball & brotherhood at 2026 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training CampVideosOur first Falcons camp report + Jeff Howe on Atlanta’s QB competitors | AT&T Training Camp | Atlanta Falcons PodcastMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers and coaches discuss preparation after first week of AT&T Training CampMoviesHeadvert Coach Kevin Stefanski AT&T Training Camp Press Conference | August 01, 2026 | Atlanta FalconsVideosHighlights | Atlanta Falcons flip up the warmth within the first week of AT&T Training CampMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers converse on growth post-practice at AT&T Training CampVideosQuarterback Tua Tagovailoa on group development by 2026 AT&T Training Camp | Press ConferenceMoviesHeadvert Coach Kevin Stefanski AT&T Training Camp Press Conference | July 31, 2026 | Atlanta FalconsVideosHighlights | The Atlanta Falcons are BACK at AT&T Training CampVideosJack Strand, Drake London and different Atlanta Falcons converse post-practice at AT&T Training CampVideosTommy Rees is mic’d up for the primary day of AT&T Training Camp | Atlanta FalconsMoviesAtlanta Falcons gamers converse to the media following the primary follow of AT&T Training CampMoviesMichael Penix Jr. & Cooper Rush replicate on first follow of AT&T Training Camp | Atlanta FalconsMoviesHeadvert Coach Kevin Stefanski AT&T Training Camp Press Conference | July 29, 2026 | Atlanta FalconsVideosWhat to observe at Atlanta Falcons AT&T Training Camp | Falcons Audible PodcastVideosPreparing the sphere for 2026 AT&T Training CampVideosBrandon Dorlus and Nick Folk converse to the media after arriving at Atlanta Falcons AT&T Training CampMoviesAtlanta Falcons create a transparent identification in the course of the 2026 offseason program | On The Rise | NFLVideosAtlanta Falcons gamers and legends go to U.S. army service members in Japan on USO TourVideosThe Falcons Camp preview you have been ready for | AT&T Training Camp | Friday Five PodcastMoviesDrake London | FEARLESSVideosNo. 66: Drake London Top 100 Players of 2026VideosWhy Bijan is the BEST working again within the NFL + we construct our 2026 fantasy sport | Friday Five PodcastVideosWhat would Matt Ryan’s good season appear to be? We choose his greatest video games EVER | Friday Five PodcastMoviesKyle Pitts Sr. on his new contract with the Atlanta Falcons & his greatest performs | Friday Five PodcastMoviesKyle Pitts Sr. speaks to the media on Atlanta Falcons contract extension | Press ConferenceMoviesMichael Vick HighlightsVideosWe play Falcons Trivia!! Plus Kyle Pitts Sr. reviews & a 49ers breakdown | Friday Five Podcast