Falcons selected two pass rushers in NFL's 2025 draft and neither might be available to start 2026

The Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson reportedly agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract extension on Tuesday. (This video contains AI-assisted content)

The Atlanta Falcons had a plan when they selected not one, but two, edge rushers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It almost certainly didn't include opening the 2026 season without either of them.

But that's the strong possibility staring the Falcons in the face now.

It begins with the fact the team fears linebacker Jalon Walker tore the ACL in his left knee during practice on Tuesday.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Atlanta Falcons edge James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts after a defensive stop in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

The club, meanwhile, is holding its proverbial breath as linebacker James Pearce Jr. opened training camp with the specter of an NFL Conduct Policy suspension to start the season hanging over him following offseason legal troubles.

For a club looking to compete in the very winnable NFC South, the uncertainty about their pass rush is now a priority.

The terrible news first:

Walker will have an MRI to confirm the status of his injury suffered in practice on Tuesday. But the club is deeply concerned because tests by doctors on the knee showed a possibility, if not a probability, the second-year player suffered ACL damage.

Walker lay on the field following the injury and his teammates immediately knew something was wrong. Teammates kneeled nearby, some prayed as they looked on, and Walker was eventually carted off the field.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski watches during the first half of an NFL