Michael Penix Jr. is finally back for live NFL action after 10 months.
The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that Penix will start at quarterback in their Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. It will be his first start since he tore knee ligaments last November and missed the rest of the season.
He was listed as a full participant in Monday's estimated practice report.
Cooper Rush started the Falcons' first two games of the 2026 season, both losses, while Penix and Tua Tagovailoa were out. Tagovailoa has been dealing with an oblique injury.
Earlier Monday, coach Kevin Stefanski said he had no update on the Week 3 starter but had an idea where the team was going. In the end, Atlanta is going back to its 2024 first-round pick.
Penix's recovery took longer than expected. He tore knee ligaments in November, had surgery, and wasn't cleared for full practice participation until Aug. 22. Tagovailoa, signed in the offseason for the veteran minimum, was named the Week 1 starter while Penix was still ramping up, but Tagovailoa was sidelined by an oblique injury during practice that week.
Rush, who has struggled through two weeks, completed 56.4% of his passes for 229 yards and a league-high four interceptions. The Falcons lost those games by a combined 54-16. In Sunday's blowout loss to Carolina, Rush was benched in the second half for undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who didn't fare better.
Atlanta hopes Penix gives it its first look at a legitimate starting quarterback in Stefanski's offense in 2026. Before the injury, the left-hander was having a solid first full season as a starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He finished with a league-best 1.1 interception percentage.
The Falcons need that production on a short week. At 0-2, they travel to Green Bay for the Packers' home opener at Lambeau Field.
Atlanta has seen a left-handed quarterback stun Green Bay fans in prime time before, with Mike Vick doing it in the 2002 wild card round. Penix will get his chance Thursday night.
Source: www.nfl.com — Read the original article
Leave a Comment