The Atlanta Falcons are entering a new era now that Michael Penix Jr. is the unquestioned starter at the quarterback position.
The second-year signal caller did not take a snap during the preseason, however, and has just five games of NFL experience under his belt. Having a starting quarterback sit out the entire preseason is not particularly rare. For example, Dak Prescott has not appeared in a preseason game since 2019.
For Atlanta to follow that same path with a player who has as little experience at the NFL level as Penix, though, is a bit surprising to see. When you take into account that he will be working with new faces on the offensive line as well, it is even more perplexing.
The recent injury to starting right tackle Kaleb McGary only amplifies this fact. Now that McGary is set to miss "significant time" with a knee injury, the former first-round pick will have to get acclimated with a new OT protecting his blindside.
Atlanta Falcons HC Raheem Morris said Friday night that right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss “significant time” because of the knee injury he suffered Wednesday in practice.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2025
Story via @marcraimondi:https://t.co/x5KMTEnagi
Falcons Facing O-Line Issue in Front of Michael Penix Jr. Ahead of Week 1
As Marc Raimondi pointed out in his piece for ESPN concerning McGary potentially needing a stint on the IR to begin the 2025 regular season, this would make him ineligible to play for the first four weeks of the season. The best option in-house to serve as his replacement is also on the shelf. Veteran offensive tackle Storm Norton underwent ankle surgery this week and is expected to miss up to eight weeks as he recovers from the procedure.
So, who is the next man up to make sure Penix Jr. remains upright in the pocket? That would appear to be veteran OT Elijah Wilkerson as he took over for McGary following his injury during Wednesday's practice session. Wilkerson has been a backup for the majority of his career, starting just 45 of the 79 appearances he's made as a member of four NFL franchises. He has started more than 10 games in a single season just once before in his career, and that came in 2019.
With three of Atlanta's first four games of the regular season coming against playoff teams from the 2024 campaign, the offensive line protecting Penix will need to be ready to play from the jump if this Falcons team wants to get off to a strong start.