Edge rusher Jalon Walker, the team's first-round pick in 2025, tore his ACL early in camp, forcing him to miss the entire 2026 season. James Pearce Jr., meanwhile, the Falcons' other premier first-round edge rusher from 2025, has been suspended for the first eight games of the season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Now they've received more bad news, this time regarding starting defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand.
Hand, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta in March, played just seven snaps in Week 1 against the Steelers before going down with a knee injury. And according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it could be a serious one. Hand is reportedly believed to have suffered a torn quad, an injury that could require season-ending surgery.
He's currently seeking other medical opinions to evaluate the injury. More news: Rams HC Sean McVay Admits Costly Mistake With Myles Garrett Hand, a fourth-round pick in 2018 after a standout four-year college career at Alabama, spent his first four seasons with the Detroit Lions before brief stints with the Titans, Dolphins, and Chargers. Last season with Los Angeles, he recorded 29 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, four pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, and one interception.
He was expected to shore up the middle of the defensive line for Atlanta this season, though that area of the field now once again looks short on depth. The Falcons traded for Gervon Dexter Sr., the Bears' star defensive tackle, at the end of August; he recorded three tackles in the season opener against Pittsburgh. But with injuries starting to pile up, Atlanta may need to turn to the trade or free agent market to add more depth to the defensive line.
More news: Cowboys Dealt Tough Blow With Malik Hooker Injury Update More news: Michael Irvin Sounds Off on Cowboys After Brutal Loss to Giants If they're going to move, though, they'll need to act fast. The Falcons are already 0-1 on the season after Sunday's 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh, and they'll host the Panthers on Sunday for what should be a gritty NFC South clash.
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