Falcons could target veteran pass rushers after Jalon Walker's ACL scare

Training camp is all about injuries and opportunities. One such incident happened in the Atlanta Falconsâ training camp.

Their outside linebacker, Jalon Walker, was carted off the practice field on Tuesday [Aug. 4] after injuring his left leg. He could not put any weight on it and was helped onto the cart before being taken to the locker room.

The 2025 first-round draft pick recorded 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his rookie season. He could have been an asset for Atlanta under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, but unfortunately, NFL insider Adam Schefter said the injury appears to be a torn ACL. Walker could miss an entire season.

This creates an opportunity for players who remain unsigned during the 2026 NFL training camp, including veteran edge rushers Joey Bosa, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills, and former Washington Commanders outside linebacker Von Miller. One of them could help fill the void left by Walker.

Chargersâ Joey Bosa pitched for Jalon Walkerâs Falcons

FanSidedâs Nick Halden reported on June 1 that the Atlanta Falcons should consider signing an aging edge rusher as their final offseason move.

The Falcons recorded the second-highest sack total in 2025, behind the Denver Broncos, so they likely did not feel the need to address the position earlier this offseason. As a result, they did not pursue either Von Miller or Joey Bosa.

Now, however, they may have their best opportunity to add a veteran after their young standout Jalon Walker suffered a potentially season-ending torn ACL.

According to Sports Illustratedâs Gerald Thomas, III, Joey Bosa is a perfect fit for the Falcons.

The future Pro Football Hall of Famer remains unsigned after spending the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded 29 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and a league-leading five forced fumbles. The 10-year NFL veteran played 15 games at age 30 for the Bills.

According to Sportsnetâs Evan Davidson, Joey Bosa is best suited for a situational pass-rushing role.

He could focus on terrorizing quarterbacks on passing downs, which would help keep the 31-year-old edge rusher fresh and healthy as the season progresses.

However, there is no guarantee Bosa will return. He may be contemplating retirement, as suggested by his younger brother, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.

Nick said that his brother has been playing more golf this offseason than preparing for an NFL return. But what if he returned for Atlanta?

Joey Bosa free agency rumors

Von Miller for Atlanta

According to Sports Illustratedâs Gerald Thomas, III, Von Miller could be an available option for Atlanta.

Miller wants to play in the 2026 NFL season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound veteran performed well at age 36 in 2025. The Super Bowl MVP played all 17 games last season, recording 26 total tackles, 9.0 sacks, and six tackles for loss.

Pro Football Rumorsâ Conner Byrne suggests that Miller is the best NFL free agent available.

A team could do worse than adding the still-effective eight-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro as a rotational pass rusher.

If Miller plays in 2026, he could climb even higher on the NFLâs all-time sacks list. He currently ranks ninth with 138.5 career sacks. If he records 3.5 more sacks, he would surpass

Michael Strahan for sixth place on the all-time list. Maybe he could achieve that playing for the Falcons?

Von Miller free agent landing spots