Michael RothsteinESPN staff writer2 minutes to read
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons waived Mykal Walker, one of their starting linebackers last season.
Walker, 25, started 12 games with Atlanta last season as the linebacker next to Rashaan Evans, tallying 107 tackles with four tackles for a loss, his first career sack and two interceptions. It was Walker’s first year as a full-time player after two seasons as a starting rotational player.
In his Falcons career, Walker played in 49 games for Atlanta with 20 starts, three interceptions and a sack. A fourth-round pick for Atlanta out of Fresno State, he was entering his general contract this season.
walker Hawks thanked him in an Instagram post “My journey is not over yet,” he said.
This prep, Walker was working behind free agent signing Caden Ellis and second year pro Troy Andersen at inside linebacker. The Falcons also tried out Walker as an outside linebacker early in camp, but he was primarily working with the second unit alongside Nate Landman.
Walker told ESPN in July that he was still figuring out what position Atlanta might use in the fall, similar to his previous three seasons with the Falcons, and they were placing him in all three positions. Walker said he felt the scheme fit with what the Falcons were trying to do defensively as well, and he felt the scheme suited him because it would allow him to run more freely.
Walker made 24 snaps with four tackles against the Miami Dolphins in the Falcons’ season-opener, a game in which the Falcons did not play the majority of their starting linebackers.
Walker was not spotted at Atlanta practice Sunday, and the team also signed linebacker Frank Genda, the 2023 USFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”