Falcons pass rusher Jalon Walker likely out for season in crushing blow

The Falcons may have suffered a devastating blow before the 2026 season even started.Atlanta pass rusher Jalon Walker is feared to have torn his ACL during Tuesday’s practice and is expected to miss the entire season, according to various reports.Walker was carted off the field with his head in his hands after suffering the injury, per ESPN.The incident “drew an emotional reaction” from his teammate, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, with those on the field taking a knee as he was tended to by Falcons medical staff. The No.15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was poised to take on a bigger role during his second campaign after a promising rookie year.The former Georgia Bulldog recorded 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during his debut season, emerging as one of the most encouraging young pieces on Atlanta’s defense.Further testing is expected to confirm the severity of the injury.Losing Walker would be a major blow to a Falcons defensive line that is already on shaky ground.Fellow pass-rusher and 2025 first-round pick James Pearce Jr., who led Atlanta with 10.5 sacks as a rookie, remains under NFL investigation and could face a suspension after entering a pretrial intervention program stemming from his February arrest on three felony charges stemming from what police called a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson.A year ago, the Falcons ranked second in the NFL with 57 sacks. With Walker likely sidelined and Pearce’s availability uncertain, a pass rush that ranked among the NFL’s best last season could take a significant step backward in 2026. Atlanta may now have to lean on its veteran depth and unproven rotational options to replace a substantial portion of that production....