Raheem Morris Stirs Up Competition for Falcons’ Right Tackle Spot
The Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is setting the stage for an intriguing battle at the right tackle position. With the season well underway, the search for a reliable starter is heating up, particularly as injuries have plagued the roster.
Injury Woes and Opportunity Knocks
The Falcons faced a significant setback when starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was sidelined due to a leg injury sustained during the final practice of training camp. Compounding the issue, backup Storm Norton has also been out of action following ankle surgery. As a result, Elijah Wilkinson has stepped in to fill the void at right tackle.
Morris recently confirmed that once Norton is healthy, he will enter the fray for the starting role alongside Wilkinson. “I wouldn’t rule out anything if he [Storm Norton] is as healthy as he needs to be to go play,” Morris stated. “We’ve seen Storm start for us before.”
Norton’s practice window was opened last week, allowing two more weeks for him to be activated to the 53-man roster. If he does not make the cut, he will face another stint on injured reserve.
Wilkinson’s Struggles Under Scrutiny
Wilkinson’s performance has come under scrutiny after two consecutive losses for the Falcons. The offensive line has struggled significantly, yielding six pressures, three hurries, a quarterback hit, and two sacks in those games. A critical moment came against the San Francisco 49ers when Bryce Huff bypassed Wilkinson, resulting in a strip sack of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., which led to three points for the opponent—points that ultimately contributed to Atlanta’s 10-point loss.
Morris acknowledged the offensive line’s overall struggles, noting, “Like I told you the other day, when we don’t play well up front, we’re not going to play really well. We got to play better up front. We want to be able to run the football. We want to be able to throw the football down the field.”
Norton’s Potential Impact
The potential return of Storm Norton could provide a much-needed boost to a faltering offensive line. Over the past two seasons with the Falcons, Norton has started four games and has been on the field for 11. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed only eight pressures and one sack during his tenure in Atlanta.
While Norton may not be a long-term solution, his experience and performance could offer a significant upgrade over Wilkinson, especially as the Falcons seek to revitalize their running game. The competition for the right tackle position could be pivotal in reigniting Atlanta’s offensive momentum as they navigate through the challenges of the season.
