Kaleb McGary has been cleared to practice fully for the Falcons since undergoing a cardiac ablation procedure in training camp, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Sunday.
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The Falcons' first-round draft pick has been sidelined after the procedure, but he began to work back into practice in a limited capacity last week. His clearance for full practice work is good news for a team looking to improve its offensive line play in 2019.
"The fact that he's able to do all of the reps and get started in a regular fashion, it's a big deal," Quinn said of McGary. "We'll encourage him to see how far he can come in a week's time, and we'll take it from there. But, like most things, let's not put the cart before the horse, let's make sure to take every step and do it the right way. Fortunately for us, he's hitting every marker that we'd hoped he would and we'll get a chance to see him battle for it."
McGary was selected with the 31st-overall pick in this year's draft and was primarily working with the second-team unit prior to undergoing surgery. The 6-foot-6, 306-pound rookie will re-enter a competition for the starting right tackle spot with one preseason game remaining.
Veteran Ty Sambrailo was the starting right tackle for the first three preseason games, but a shoulder injury sidelined him against the Washington Redskins. In Sambrailo's absence, second-year player Matt Gono received the start at right tackle and performed mostly up to expectation. The return of McGary throws another wrinkle into that group, but it is a welcome addition for a team that has high hopes in 2019.
