Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac discuss if now starting right tackle for the Atlanta Falcons Elijah Wilkinson should play in the Falcons’ preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys tonight, and explain why they think he should play and get some reps at right tackle. Ali, Mike, and Beau also talk about what else they’ll be watching out for tonight in the Falcons’ final preseason game.

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac react to ESPN NFL Senior reporter Jeremy Fowler reporting yesterday that Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss time on the apparent leg injury he suffered Wednesday, per his source, who also added that the exact timetable was not immediately known, but for now he's out of the lineup. Mike, Beau, and Ali also explain why they think that Fowler reporting McGary will miss time this year is really not saying much.

The Morning Shift’s full show on Thursday, August 21st, 2025.

HR1 - Elijah Wilkinson more than capable of holding his own at right tackle for Falcons

In hour one Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac react to the news that Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the practice field yesterday with an apparent lower leg injury, and they also reacted to the news that Falcons backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, so Falcons’ offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson is currently replacing McGary at right tackle. Ali, Mike, and Beau also talk about how the Kaleb McGary injury sucks, but it’s not time for the Falcons or Falcons fans to hit the panic button. The Morning Shift crew also explains why Falcons fans and the media need to have patience when it comes to getting more information about McGary’s injury. Then, Ali, Mike, and Beau talk about a cool opportunity Ali, Grant, Beau, and Amy will probably miss out on because of their schedules, react to the College Football Playoff selection committee announcing that it will announce its first of six rankings CFP rankings on November 4th using enhanced metrics to help evaluate schedule strength and how teams perform against their slate, explain why they think the College Football Playoff selection committee should've been using enhanced metrics the entire time, and then close out the hour by diving into the life of Ali Mac in Ali’s Mac Drop!

HR2 - Michael Penix Jr.’s mobility even more important now after Kaleb McGary’s injury

In hour two Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac continue to react to the news that Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the practice field yesterday with an apparent lower leg injury, and continue to react to the news that Falcons backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Mike, Ali, and Beau also explain why they think Elijah Wilkinson will be a fine band-aid for the Falcons at right tackle until either Storm Norton or Kaleb McGary returns. Then, The Morning Shift crew reacts to the latest news, rumors, and reports in the NFL as they go In The Huddle. Mike, Ali, and Beau also recap and react to the Atlanta Braves beating the Chicago White Sox 1-0 last night, and winning their three game series thanks to another great outing from Hurston Waldrep. The Morning Shift crew also lets you hear Braves’ Manager Brian Snitker talk about how Waldrep’s development has been impressive, react to what Snitker had to say, and explain why they think Waldrep may be the next young Braves' pitcher to take the next step, and become a regular in the Braves’ starting pitching rotation. Finally, Mike, Ali, and Beau close out hour two by diving into The Life of Mike Johnson and getting Mike’d Up!

HR3 - Good chance Elijah Wilkinson will have to be Falcons’ RT until their bye week

In hour three Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac let listeners call into the show and talk about if there should be more concern from Mike and Beau when it comes to Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside protection, and if their friendship could survive with someone if they didn’t get invited to their friends’ ‘real’ wedding in the Wake Up Call! Then, The Morning Shift crew spends some time with Atlanta Falcons beat writer for The Athletic Josh Kendall! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Josh discuss when Josh expects there will be an update on Kaleb McGary’s lower leg injury, how long swing tackle Storm Norton will be out for, if Falcons’ offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson will be the next man up at right tackle until Storm Norton comes back, what Josh knows about the injuries/ailments of guys like KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud, if Josh thinks the Falcons should play Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle in the Falcons’ preseason finale tomorrow versus the Cowboys or sit him and not risk injury, why Josh thinks James Pearce Jr. has gotten so many reps during training camp and the preseason, what guys in the secondary Josh thinks will make the Falcons’ 53-man roster, if Josh thinks Xavier Watts will be the starting safety next to Jessie Bates to start the regular season, and if Falcons’ linebacker Troy Andersen will be ready to play week one. The Morning Shift crew also reacts to the news that WWE's first event that will be aired on ESPN will be Wrestlepalooza on September 20th, explain why they think this process has been expedited, talk about taking time off work, Beau traveling with the Atlanta Falcons for their final preseason game tomorrow against the Dallas Cowboys, and then Mike, Beau, and Ali close out hour three by diving into the life of Beau “Squidbilly” Morgan in The Life of Squid!

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac react to the news that WWE's first event that will be aired on ESPN will be Wrestlepalooza on September 20th, and explain why they think this process has been expedited.

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac spend some time with Atlanta Falcons beat writer for The Athletic Josh Kendall! Ali, Mike, Beau, and Josh discuss when Josh expects there will be an update on Kaleb McGary’s lower leg injury, how long swing tackle Storm Norton will be out for, if Falcons’ offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson will be the next man up at right tackle until Storm Norton comes back, what Josh knows about the injuries/ailments of guys like KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud, if Josh thinks the Falcons should play Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle in the Falcons’ preseason finale tomorrow versus the Cowboys or sit him and not risk injury, why Josh thinks James Pearce Jr. has gotten so many reps during training camp and the preseason, what guys in the secondary Josh thinks will make the Falcons’ 53-man roster, if Josh thinks Xavier Watts will be the starting safety next to Jessie Bates to start the regular season, and if Falcons’ linebacker Troy Andersen will be ready to play week one.

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac let listeners call into the show and talk about if there should be more concern from Mike and Beau when it comes to Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside protection, and if their friendship could survive with someone if they didn’t get invited to their friends’ ‘real’ wedding in the Wake Up Call!

Mike Johnson, Beau Morgan, and Ali Mac recap and react to the Atlanta Braves beating the Chicago White Sox 1-0 last night, and winning their three game series thanks to another great outing from Hurston Waldrep. Ali, Mike, and Beau also let you hear Braves’ Manager Brian Snitker talk about how the development of Waldrep has been impressive, react to what Snitker had to say, and explain why they think Waldrep may be the next young Braves' pitcher to take the next step, and become a regular in the Braves’ starting pitching rotation.