FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Like riding a bike.
That's how Elijah Wilkinson views becoming the Atlanta Falcons' starting right tackle for Week 1. It's a role he is familiar with but hasn't stepped into in years. Since 2021, to be exact.
"You just got to get on and take a couple laps," Wilkinson said. "Then, you'll be good. You're back rolling."
Wilkinson last started a game at right tackle for the Chicago Bears on Oct. 17, 2021. He did so because starter Germain Ifedi sustained an injury the week prior. That was Wilkinson's sole start of the season.
Between 2019-20, though, Wilkinson started 19 of a possible 32 games at right tackle for the Denver Broncos. He got the nod in 2019 after starter Ja'Wuan James got injured and again in 2020 after James opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bears and Broncos each trusted Wilkinson when they needed help. Not so much because he was a proven right tackle. But because he was a proven offensive lineman. Wilkinson has played every position besides center across the front line. It's a big reason — if not the reason — the Falcons first signed him in 2022, again in 2024 and for a third time this offseason.
"I always knew that Elijah has that flex," Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford said. "He's got that flex where he can play any position along the offensive line. That's what you like with those guys, the ability to play multiple positions. That's why when you're the sixth, seventh, eighth (lineman) you've got to be able to do that. So, in training camp and everything like that, we try to expose those guys to get ready for those situations if they do occur."
And they did this year in Atlanta.
The Falcons' starting right tackle, Kaleb McGary, is out for the season with a leg injury. Their backup swing tackle, Storm Norton, is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Wilkinson was named the starter as a result.
"I've been in this role before," Wilkinson said. "It's go time for me. You never want to see anybody go down, but that's an opportunity for me to step up."
As far as his teammates are concerned, Wilkinson already has.
"The way that he stepped up ever since that happened, he has been practicing extremely hard and doing everything the right way," quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. "It's been great to see."
While Norton was absent for the majority of training camp with what was originally described as a lower-body injury and later reported as an ankle injury that required surgery, McGary didn't hurt his leg until the final practice. That means McGary was around to take first-team reps throughout the preseason. Wilkinson primarily worked with the second-team offense.
Remember, though, Penix was the Falcons' backup last season until Week 16, so he, too, spent most of last season with the second-team offense. He's familiar with operating behind Wilkinson from most of last year.
"Those guys have got a lot of familiarity, a lot of comfort with Wilkinson," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He has a lot of comfort with us."
During Wilkinson's first run with the Falcons in 2022, he started nine games at left guard. He then spent the 2023 season with the Arizona Cardinals before returning to Atlanta in 2024.
Wilkinson appeared in two games last season for the Falcons, though mainly on special teams. He took just one offensive snap in the Falcons' Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos, and it was as an extra blocker.
"Led knows him as well as anybody, and I am leaning on Coach Led with a lot of things because he's been around Elijah for a number of years now," Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. "So, leaning on those guys, seeing what we do out on the practice field and hoping it all translates to the game."
The Falcons open their 2025 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. FOX will carry live coverage.
Wilkinson will trot out with the rest of the first-team offense whenever it takes the field. He'll line up next to starting right guard Chris Lindstrom, anchoring the end of the line whenever center Ryan Neuzil snaps the ball.
"It's next man up," Wilkinson said. "You just got to roll with the punches and go get some wins for the Falcons."
