The 2019 season may not have started like 2018 – injury-wise – but it is sure wrapping up that way. Following Sunday’s thrilling victory over the 49ers, the Falcons will have to play their final two games without defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who suffered a shoulder injury in the win.
#Falcons DE Takk McKinley is out for the season after sustaining a shoulder injury yesterday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2019
McKinley was the Falcons first-round pick in 2017. He had 13 sacks in his first two seasons, but people believed this year could be a breakout one for the former UCLA Bruin.
It never turned out that way. McKinley participated in 13 games but was banged up for most of them, racking up 3.5 sacks and 18 tackles. It’s not exactly the impression he wanted to leave before the Falcons make their decision on his fifth-year option, which would pay him over $10 million in 2021. They will have to determine that before May 5th, and it could be one of the first critical moves of the new regime.
McKinley joins a bevy of Falcons stars that are already out for the remainder of the season like Desmond Trufant, Calvin Ridley, and Keanu Neal.