Why ‘very minor’ injury is keeping Jalon Walker out of Falcons practices

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons rookie linebacker Jalon Walker missed a third consecutive practice Thursday because of what coach Raheem Morris called a “very minor” hamstring injury.

“The kid is champing at the bit to go out there and practice, and I won’t let him,” Morris said before Thursday’s practice. “Don’t want to turn this (injury) into a long-term thing. Got a lot of faith in what our performance team does and how we go about our business. He will go out and do full speed (individual work) and then see him on the side, training and getting some running and conditioning.

“He won’t be happy about it, and that’s what I love about him.”

The Falcons selected Walker with the No. 15 overall NFL draft pick out of Georgia. They are counting on him to help improve their meager pass rush. Walker is projected to start and operate as an “edge” rusher opposite veteran Leonard Floyd.

Walker is missing valuable repetitions as he tries to get ready to contribute during his first pro season. Morris said holding out Walker is about balancing his need for repetitions with caution about managing the injury.

“It’s nothing long-term,” Morris said. “Of course, you want to have guys out there. Of course, you want guys out there every single practice. That’s not the reality of our sport. The reality of our sport is you’ve got to find out how to manage guys, how to prepare the right way.

“I have so much confidence in what (Walker) he’s done and who he is as a person and the character and bringing to the game, that I know it won’t hurt him as much as most.”

Asked what case Walker makes for practicing with the injury, Morris joked, “It’s not a case. He just tries to intimidate me with his look. He’s a very intimidating guy. He’s bigger than me. I’ve got a bigger stick, and I get a chance to stand in front of him and hold him back. He’s going to perform. He’s awesome. He’s a grown man, very mature.”

Falcons sign safety Henry Black

The Falcons signed safety Henry Black on Thursday. They created an open roster spot by releasing wide receiver Makai Polk.

“The depth at safety was a concern, and we were heavy at receiver,” Morris said.

Black played 25 games for the Packers from 2020-21 after they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Baylor. The Falcons signed Black in the 2022 season but waived him before the start of the season. Black played 10 games for San Antonio of the UFL this year.

Kirk Cousins helps the defense

It’s not good for the Falcons that Kirk Cousins’ contract is taking up $40 million of their salary cap. That’s tied for the sixth-highest cap figure in the league. It’s the price the Falcons must pay for signing Cousins for $100 million guaranteed and then demoting him in less than a season.

However, one on-field benefit to having Cousins as the No. 2 quarterback is that he’s working against the No. 1 defense during practices.

“Kirk is checking stuff at the line,” Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. “Your normal backup quarterback usually doesn’t do that. Having Kirk, the person that he is and how he’s going about it, he’s still the same Kirk. He’s up there processing like ‘QB1’ still. That’s going to elevate us as a defense.”

Defense strikes back

Morris said the offense had the “competitive edge” over the defense during the team’s first practice in pads Tuesday.

“I’d love to see the response today from the defense,” Morris said before Thursday’s session, after the team had the day off Wednesday.

Mission accomplished. The highlights for the defense Thursday included cornerback Natrone Brooks’ interception of Michael Penix Jr.’s pass in the end zone.