The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that they have pardoned first-round pick Tak Kum Kinley.
McKinley has been dealing with a groin injury since Week 2, which has prevented him from playing in several games this season, including Atlanta’s 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 9.
In the four games KK Kinley has played this season, he has recorded just eight tackles, one for a loss and seven hits on quarterback. McKinley started 25 games for the Falcons in his four seasons with the organization. He will end his time at quarterback in Atlanta with tt tackles, 22 tackles of loss, 17.5 sacks and 45 hits.
The Falcons were publicly criticized on Twitter following a recent trade deadline at the defensive end, claiming he had requested a deal with another team. After McKinley made the remarks, interim head coach Rahim Morris said the team would hold him accountable.
For the Falcons’ 26th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the founding of 2020, Atlanta didn’t pick McKinley’s fifth year option before the season. McGinley is far from needed, after showing training camp to be in the best shape of his career this season, due in part to a groin injury.
