The Falcoholic
The team’s prized rookie should be back in action soon...we hope.
Nothing sets the nerves to jangling like an early training camp injury to a critical player. With Jalon Walker missing a couple of days of practice, Raheem Morris talking only vaguely about the issue, and the fact that he was off to the side working with Troy Andersen, who is on the Physically Unable to Perform list, some worries were swiftly mounting heading into this morning.
Thankfully, Morris addressed the injury in plain fashion Thursday with a reassuring update, making it clear that Walker will miss a third straight day of full practice but is dealing with a “minor” hamstring issue. He also said Walker is pushing hard to get back on the field, but that the team is holding him out and being cautious.
The caution makes perfect sense. Walker is set to have a major role in this team’s EDGE group and potentially a real role at inside linebacker, as well, especially with Troy Andersen’s return timetable uncertain. He’s a gifted, versatile athlete who will be a defensive building block hopefully for years to come, and the Falcons will need him in Week 1. If his hamstring is bothering him, you park him, even if he wants to be practicing. Everyone here is doing exactly what you’d hope they would do, and the hope is that the issue is minor enough that we’re only days away from seeing Walker back out there practicing fully.
This should be a blip on the radar, in other words, and is in service of getting a prized rookie healthy. As long as Walker doesn’t miss a ton of time or this injury lingers into September, all should be well soon enough.
