The Atlanta Falcons have confirmed that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will undergo surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, a severe injury he sustained during the team’s 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons placed Penix on injured reserve on Monday, following a second opinion that determined the severity of his injury.
This marks Penix’s fifth season-ending injury in eight seasons, with previous incidents including tearing his right ACL twice in college. Head coach Raheem Morris praised Penix’s resilience, stating the team believes in his ability to return stronger. "The one thing we say about Michael is we know what it’s like to be battle-tested, and he’s shown us that before," Morris said during a news conference on Wednesday. "You know, the last injury was (2021). I believe it was a shoulder. I think the last knee was in (2020), and he’s done nothing but come back stronger every single opportunity he’s been given. And when, you know, I think his famous line was, ‘You know, check his EKG,’ and it’s no different now. Like, the guy is going to come back stronger for us. You know this organization believes in him, his coaches believe in him, his guys believe in him, and he’s going to come back strong for us."
With Penix out, the team’s starting quarterback will shift to Kirk Cousins, who has appeared in three games this season, once as a starter. Cousins, 37, has completed 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Falcons selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft despite signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the same offseason.
Cousins will make his second start of the season against the New Orleans Saints (2-8) Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Penix’s latest injury is the fifth season-ending injury he has sustained in eight seasons in college and the NFL. The 25-year-old tore his right ACL twice in college. The Falcons’ decision to place Penix on injured reserve and choose surgery over a potential rehabilitation plan signifies the severity of the injury.
As Penix’s absence brings the team into the next phase of their season, the Falcons face the challenge of adapting to Cousins taking over as their starting quarterback. While Cousins has shown some promise, the team will have to evaluate his performance against a divisional rival in the Saints.
Overall, the Falcons’ situation highlights the challenges of managing quarterback injuries in the NFL. With Penix’s season ending, the Falcons must now focus on developing a new plan for their offense and preparing for the upcoming games without their primary quarterback. The team’s fortunes will depend on how effectively they can adapt to this change in leadership behind the scenes.