Tag: Kaleb McGary

Arthur Smith says there’s no timetable for Kaleb McGary’s return

On Tuesday, Smith gave a non-update update regarding Kaleb McGary’s status, saying there’s still no timetable for his return.

The Atlanta Falcons placed right tackle Kaleb McGary on the PUP list to start training camp, but the cause of his injury is unknown. Head coach Arthur Smith hasn’t willingly disclosed of many injury details thus far.

On Tuesday, Smith gave a non-update update regarding McGary’s status, saying there’s still no timetable for his return, per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

McGary figures to start at right tackle this season, assuming he’s healthy enough by Week 1.

The Falcons did add offensive linemen Jalen Mayfield and Drew Dalman in the draft, so they do have some options. Smith also gave an update on defensive tackle Tyeler Davison, saying his absence is not expected to be long term.

As for the COVID-19 designation, the Falcons got DT John Atkins back on Tuesday, but LB Dante Fowler Jr. remains on the reserve.

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Falcons place OT Kaleb McGary, two others on PUP list

The Atlanta Falcons placed three linemen on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Wednesday.

The Atlanta Falcons placed three linemen on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Wednesday. Right tackle Kaleb McGary, guard Matt Gono and defensive tackle Deadrin Senat will each be out for an undisclosed amount of time.

Gono was spotted at training camp with a neck brace on Wednesday and had an offseason surgery. As for McGary and Senat, this is the first we’ve heard of any injury.

McGary would be a big loss as he is locked in as the starter at right tackle, while Senat has most been a depth piece since being drafted. Gono’s absence has been expected.

Placed placed on the PUP list can be removed at any time during training camp.

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Falcons OT Kaleb McGary downgraded to out for Sunday’s game

The Atlanta Falcons have downgraded right tackle Kaleb McGary from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to personal matters.

The Atlanta Falcons have downgraded right tackle Kaleb McGary from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to personal matters.

Additionally, the team flexed safety T.J. Green to the active roster, which should help add depth since Ricardo Allen has been ruled out.

Backup linemen John Wetzel and Matt Gono are the two players behind McGary on the depth chart. While we don’t know which one will get the start at right tackle, we do know that they will be tasked with slowing down Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa.

The Falcons have already ruled out wide receiver Julio Jones and left guard James Carpenter for Sunday’s matchup in Los Angeles.

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Falcons OT Kaleb McGary has minor MCL sprain

The Falcons got some good news on Monday regarding starting right tackle Kaleb McGary.

The Falcons got some good news on Monday regarding starting right tackle Kaleb McGary. After the former first-round pick left Sunday’s game with a leg injury, it was reported that he may have an MCL sprain.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, McGary’s sprain is actually very minor, and he may only be out for a week.

In the meantime, expect Matt Gono to fill in as the team’s right tackle. Gono took over in Week 2 and played well in the second half of Atlanta’ s loss to the Cowboys.

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Dan Quinn says Kaleb McGary, Chris Lindstrom are off to a good start

The Falcons made a big investment into their offensive line last year, drafting both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The Falcons made a big investment into their offensive line last year, drafting both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary in the first round of the 2019 draft.

Entering 2020, the team needs its sophomore linemen to take another step forward with Atlanta in playoffs-or-bust mode. According to head coach Dan Quinn, both players are off to a good start in training camp, as tweeted by Falcons reporter Kelsey Conway below.

The Falcons had an awful year protecting quarterback Matt Ryan, and were even worse rushing the ball. The team averaged an abysmal 85.1 yards per game on the ground. Down the stretch, however, Lindstrom’s return from a broken foot gave Atlanta’s offensive line a noticeable boost.

Check out this breakdown of Lindstrom’s late-season play by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.

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4 things to know about Jets undrafted free agent OT Jared Hilbers

Here are four things to know about Jets undrafted free agent OT Jared Hilbers, a swing tackle from the University of Washington.

The Jets put an emphasis on rebuilding their offensive line this offseason, adding a handful of new starters and considerable depth that last year’s team lacked.

They only added one lineman through undrafted free agency, though: University of Washington tackle Jared Hilbers. Standing at 6-foot-7, 305 pounds, Hilbers has the athleticism to play either tackle position and is a sound run blocker.

With that said, let’s get to know Hilbers a bit better. Here are four things to know about the undrafted free agent out of Washington.

(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Basketball Background

Jared Hilbers is yet another Jets offensive lineman with a basketball background. He was a star high school basketball player in Oregon before deciding to join his school’s football team during his junior year.

Just like New York’s acquisition of George Fant, who played college basketball at Western Kentucky, Hilbers has the type of athleticism and versatility that Joe Douglas is looking for in his offensive linemen.

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Dan Quinn believes McGary, Lindstrom will ‘take a huge step’ in 2020

Quinn highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

The Atlanta Falcons have a lot riding on next season. After two disappointing finishes, owner Arthur Blank elected to retain GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn. To validate Blank’s trust, the team must get back on the playoffs in 2020.

Speaking with Falcons reporter Matthew Tabeek, Quinn laid out his expectations for some of Atlanta’s younger players. He highlighted Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary and Russell Gage as players he thinks will make significant progress next year.

“I’m very excited to see the development at both right guard and right tackle with McGary and Lindstrom,” said Quinn. “I think these guys are going to take a huge step going into year two.”

Watch the entire five-minute interview below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account:

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The 4 Falcons under the most pressure in 2020

Every year, NFL players face tremendous pressure. Young players are expected to improve. Veterans are expected to defy age.

Every year, NFL players face tremendous pressure. Young players are expected to improve. Veterans are expected to defy age. Those making the most money are expected to avoid injury.

However, that doesn’t mean certain players don’t still face more pressure than others. After the first wave of free agency, the Atlanta Falcons‘ roster is taking shape for next season.

Let’s examine the four Falcons players that will be under the most scrutiny entering 2020.

TE Hayden Hurst

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Hurst is in position to take his game to the next level after a limited role in Baltimore’s offense last season. Austin Hooper may not ultimately be worth the monster contract he received from Cleveland, but he was deserving of the money based on his elite production.

Not only is Hurst a former first-round pick, Atlanta gave up a second-round pick to acquire him and he must replace one of the top five tight ends in the game. Getting traded to the Falcons may be just what Hurst needs to maximize his skill-set, but the pressure is on.

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Falcons’ 2019 draft class gets B- in NFL’s rookie grades

The Atlanta Falcons had a plan to rebuild their offensive line last offseason, signing Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative deals in free agency and selecting two offensive linemen in the draft.

The Atlanta Falcons had a plan to rebuild their offensive line last offseason, signing Jamon Brown and James Carpenter to lucrative deals in free agency and selecting two offensive linemen in the draft.

Both Brown and Carpenter struggled in 2019 and aren’t a part of the team’s long-term rebuild up front. Rookies Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom finished the season strong, however, and the Falcons won six of their final eight games.

Nick Shook of NFL.com gave the group a B- in his NFC South draft grades. Here’s some of what he wrote below:

McGary was available all season, but he finished 90th in pass blocking and 74th in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus. Lindstrom was lost for much of the season due to injury, leaving his evaluation incomplete. Sheffield earned a sub-50 grade in pass coverage from PFF, but he was statistically effective, recording 46 tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble in 16 games. Cominsky was effective per PFF, finishing 23rd in overall defensive grade among edge rushers despite not racking up a ton of traditional stats. Ollison didn’t make much of an impact, while Miller spent the majority of his season on special teams.

McGary did struggle early in the season, but the entire offesnive line was awful over the team’s first eight games. When Lindstrom returned from injury, he played well at right guard and made McGary look considerably more comfortable at right tackle.

Outside of the two linemen drafted in round one, defensive back Kendall Sheffield played well when forced into action due to injuries in Atlanta’s secondary. Defensive end John Cominsky was solid as a depth addition that should have a chance to compete for more snaps in 2020 and beyond.

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Falcons won’t say who will start at right guard in Week 13

The Falcons struggled to block the Buccaneers in Week 12, giving up way too much pressure, particularly on the right side. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times during Sunday’s loss.

The Falcons struggled to block the Buccaneers in Week 12, giving up way too much pressure, particularly on the right side. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times during Sunday’s loss.

Right tackle Kaleb McGary and right guard Jamon Brown did not play their best games. McGary is a rookie and has played well this season, so you can live with his occasional struggles.

The same cannot be said about Brown, however, and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter wouldn’t say who he planned to start at right guard on Thursday:

It will either be Brown or backup Wes Schweitzer starting next to McGary in the team’s Thanksgiving matchup with the Saints.

Brown was given a lucrative free agent contract in the offseason, but wouldn’t be starting if it were not for an injury to first-round pick Chris Lindstrom.

Atlanta defeated New Orleans in Week 10, thanks in large part to the offensive line playing its best game all year. We will see if the unit can replicate those results tomorrow night and complete a season sweep of a hated NFC South rival.

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