He missed the final two games of 2019 with a left shoulder injury that required surgery and he also underwent shoulder surgery shortly prior to Atlanta trading up to take him in the 2017 draft.  

The Atlanta Falcons will decline the fifth-year option on the contract of defensive end Takk McKinley, making the 2017 first-round pick a free agent at the end of this coming season. 
 
McKinley, the 26th overall selection in the 2017 draft, led the Falcons with seven sacks in 2018 but had just 3.5 in 14 games this past season before landing on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. 

He would have earned a salary of approximately $10.1million in 2021 had the option been picked up. 
 
The 24-year-old's 16.5 sacks in 45 career games ranks third among members of the 2017 draft class, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt (34.5) and the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett (30.5). 

Watt was taken four picks after McKinley at No. 30 overall. 
 
"We have decided to not move forward with a fifth-year option for Takk and at this time are taking a wait-and-see approach in terms of future contracts," the Falcons said in a team statement on Wednesday.

"Takk has shown the ability to produce at a high level and we look forward to his production in 2020." 
 
McKinley's medical history may have factored into the Falcons' decision.

He missed the final two games of 2019 with a left shoulder injury that required surgery and he also underwent shoulder surgery shortly prior to Atlanta trading up to take him in the 2017 draft.