A couple of key Atlanta Falcons offensive linemen could miss Week 4’s game with the New Orleans Saints. Right tackle Kaleb McGary went down in Week 3’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs with what is believed to be a sprained MCL, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The severity of that knee injury is to be determined, but McGary’s status for next week’s game against the Saints is very much in doubt.
That’s also true of Falcons center Drew Dalman, who Rapoport reports is going to miss some time with a high-ankle sprain. So that’s two starters down from an offensive line tasked with protecting Kirk Cousins, one of the least-mobile quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Who could replace them?
Backup tackle Elijah Wilkinson filled in for McGary on the right side in Sunday night’s loss, however McGary is a premier player and will most definitely be missed if he ends up sitting out on a few games. So far this season he only allowed one sack and five pressures with no penalties against him, which is pretty impressive given he played against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
As for the center? It was Ryan Neuzil stepping in for Dalman. The fourth-year pro has only started four games at the NFL level, so that could be a matchup Bryan Bresee and the Saints’ interior rotation can take advantage of. The Falcons will be hoping to lean on Bijan Robinson just like the Eagles relied on Saquon Barkley against thee Saints, so it’s vital that Dennis Allen’s defensive line win their battles up front, no matter who is in front of them.
