The Atlanta Falcons confirmed that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will require surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, effectively ending his season. The team placed Penix on injured reserve on Monday after a second opinion determined the severity of the injury, leading to the decision for surgery. Penix, who had already endured multiple season-ending injuries in his college and NFL careers—including tearing his right ACL twice—faces another setback at the age of 25. The injury occurred during the Falcons’ 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers, where Penix left the game in the third quarter.
Penix’s latest injury marks the fifth season-ending injury he has sustained in eight seasons in college and the NFL. Despite his struggles with injuries, the Falcons have expressed confidence in his return. Head coach Raheem Morris emphasized Penix’s resilience, stating, “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 noted Penix’s track record of coming back stronger after previous injuries, including a shoulder injury in 2021 and a knee injury in 2020.
With Penix sidelined, the Falcons’ backup quarterback, Kirk Cousins, will step in as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Cousins, 37, has appeared in three games this season, with one start in which he went 0-1 and completed 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The next challenge for Cousins is a matchup against the New Orleans Saints (2-8) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, where the Falcons hope for a stronger performance from their veteran quarterback to keep their playoff hopes alive.