Eight year NFL veteran Elijah Wilkinson has quickly gone from being the Atlanta Falcons’ backup swing tackle to the Falcons’ starting right tackle after the news came out yesterday that starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the practice field yesterday with an apparent leg injury, and that backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent ankle surgery Tuesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Now, this obviously isn’t an ideal situation for the Falcons, but earlier today former Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman and now co-host on The Morning Shift Mike Johnson explained why Wilkinson would be able to hold his own and be a serviceable option for Atlanta for a few games if needed.
“There’s a lot to like. There’s some things to not like about Elijah Wilkinson, but I don’t think in any way he’s gonna look completely overmatched. His feet are a lot quicker than Kaleb McGary’s are. Is he as strong, no. Is he as good in the run game, probably not, but for a four game band-aid I think he would be just fine after watching the tape against Tennessee.” Mike said
If Kaleb McGary does have to miss significant time or the entire season Wilkinson would probably be, as Mike mentioned the Falcons’ starting right tackle for the first four games, maybe five depending on Storm Norton’s recovery process, but Norton should be ready to go after the Falcons’ week five bye week going into their Monday night football matchup at home against the Buffalo Bills, but until then Elijah Wilkinson is likely the next man up, and hopefully the Falcons’ offense doesn’t skip a beat with him in the mix.