Jalon Walker
The first of the Falcons’ two first-round draft picks has been battling soft tissue injuries throughout much of Atlanta’s preseason. He was held back for a couple weeks with a hamstring injury before Morris confirmed that Walker would miss the Falcons third and final preseason game with a groin injury.
Asked about Walker’s status as Week 1 begins, Morris said he is “on track” to play this Sunday against Tampa Bay.
“All four of those (rookies) will be up, running and going,” Morris said as he knocked on the wood of the podium he was speaking behind. “I hate to tell you that on a walkthrough Monday, but they looked really good today.”
The right tackle situation
Morris confirmed Monday that the Falcons will move forward into Week 1 with Elijah Wilkinson taking over the starting right tackle duties.
Though the Falcons went out last week and added a trio of offensive tackles to the 53-man roster and practice squad, Morris said then it would be difficult for the newcomers to usurp players who have already been around the Falcons’ facility this preseason. That very much included Wilkinson, who Morris all but stated was the Falcons’ starter in the wake of Kaleb McGary and Storm Norton’s injuries.
“I feel really good about Wilkinson going out there and being part of what we do and how we do it,” Morris said. “… He will go out there and give us his best efforts and do whatever he can to help us win this football game.”