The Atlanta Falcons have officially announced that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will require surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, an injury he sustained against the Carolina Panthers during the team’s 30-27 overtime loss. The team placed Penix on injured reserve on Monday to assess the full severity of his injury, and after a second opinion, they have opted for surgery, which will keep him out for the rest of the season.
This injury adds to Penix’s injury history, which includes four previous season-ending injuries in his eight seasons in college and the NFL. The 25-year-old quarterback had previously torn his right ACL twice in college, a testament to the challenges he has faced throughout his career. However, the Falcons’ head coach, Raheem Morris, has expressed confidence in Penix’s resilience, noting that the team has always believed in his ability to recover and return stronger. Morris emphasized that Penix has shown time and again that he can come back from setbacks, citing his past injuries and his determination to continue playing at the highest level.
With Penix out for the season, the Falcons will turn to Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback. Despite being signed to a four-year, $180 million contract in the same offseason as Penix was drafted, Cousins has only appeared in three games this season, with one start and a 61.5% completion rate. The decision to place Penix on injured reserve has forced the Falcons to rely on Cousins, who will now assume the role of starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The team will face the New Orleans Saints in their next game, where Cousins will make his second start of the season.
As the Falcons navigate this transition, the coaching staff and players will remain focused on supporting Cousins and ensuring that the quarterback has the opportunity to perform at his best. The organization’s belief in Penix’s ability to return and contribute in the future remains strong, with Morris expressing confidence that the quarterback will come back stronger. The Falcons’ season will now hinge on Cousins’ performance, as they look to regain form and momentum with their next game against the Saints.