The Atlanta Falcons have announced that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will require surgery to repair his partially torn ACL, an injury he sustained against the Carolina Panthers. The team placed Penix on injured reserve on Monday after determining the severity of his injury through further evaluation. Following a second opinion, the Falcons opted for surgery, resulting in Penix missing the remainder of the season. This marks Penix’s fifth season-ending injury in his career, as the 25-year-old has faced similar setbacks in college and the NFL.
Penix’s latest injury comes during the Falcons’ 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter. In his second season in the league, Penix completed just over 60% of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite his performance, the Falcons selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft, even as they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the same offseason. With Penix out, Cousins becomes the team’s starting quarterback.
Cousins, 37, has appeared in three games this season, once as a starter. He is 0-1 in his lone start and has completed 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Cousins is set to make his second start of the season against the New Orleans Saints (2-8) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Head coach Raheem Morris expressed confidence in Penix’s resilience, emphasizing the team’s belief in his abilities and his potential to return stronger for the Falcons.