The Atlanta Falcons general manager says the team is not hitting the panic button.
The Atlanta Falcons had an absolutely devastating injury update last week with one of their key young players who was expected to take the next step this season and become a leader of the defense.
Young pass rusher Jalon Walker, who had a promising rookie season after being drafted in the first round last year, suffered a torn ACL last Tuesday and leaves the group in a little bit of a precarious position. Atlanta was already potentially thin on the edge with James Pearce Jr. facing a pending suspension, and now with Walker out for the year, things get even tougher.
Naturally, fans pointed out names who are still available via free agency to potentially help out there including Von Miller and Joey Bosa, and while that may be an option, it does not sound like the team is panicking as much. General manager Ian Cunningham spoke with Justin Felder of Fox 5 in Atlanta and expressed confidence in the unit that is already in the building.
Falcons GM Confident in Team's Edge Depth After Walker Injury
"Regardless of position, it's our job to scour who's available," Cunningham said when asked about some of the available names as well as saying both free agency and trades are an option. "Like you've seen so far, we aren't afraid to bring players in via free agency or via trade. So, we'll see, we'll continue to look at that but we also have to realize that the sky is not falling. We believe in the guys that we have in that locker room right now and we'll see what we do moving forward."
It should be noted that even if the team was seriously concerned about edge or any position on the roster, it's unlikely the general manager would express that sentiment publicly. Still, hearing Cunningham have confidence in the players who are in the building now has to give fans a little bit of solace here.
At the end of the day, Atlanta is undeniably thin at the spot and set to get even thinner once Pearce's suspension does come down from the league. Having confidence in the guys in the building is one thing, however bringing in some help there could be huge as well.
It can't be sugar coated here just how much the Walker injury stings; losing a talent like him who was expected to do so many roles in this defense in 2026 is absolutely brutal. Injuries are inevitable though, and how teams weather them is one of the most significant factors in determining who is left standing at the end of the year.
Keep an eye on the Falcons in the free agency market, but perhaps the next man up at edge rusher is already in the building.
