Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.
Nov 26, 2025 1:06 PM EST
When the Atlanta Falcons spent a first-round pick on Michael Penix Jr. (knee) in the 2024 NFL Draft, approximately six weeks after signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, they signaled a commitment to getting the quarterback position right, even if the approach was untraditional. Less than two years later, Penix has suffered a season-ending ACL tear, the third since his college days, and Cousins sits at 8-8 as the Falcons starter following a Week 12 win over the Saints in which he failed to top 200 passing yards for his third straight start. Neither Penix nor Cousins has looked like a long-term answer at the position, and with Penix's injury timeline now adding uncertainty to his status for the beginning of the 2026 season, Atlanta could once again need to address the quarterback room this offseason.
Nov 25, 2025 3:00 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) does indeed need surgery that involves "full reconstruction" of his torn ACL and faces "at least" nine months of recovery, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Penix Jr. suffered the injury during his team's Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The injury occurred in his left knee rather than his right, which is notable considering he tore his right ACL twice during his collegiate career. A nine-month recovery timeline from late November means Penix Jr.'s availability for the start of the 2026 season could be in question. For the remainder of 2025, Atlanta will likely turn to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has struggled across three games (one start) worth of action so far this season. Cousins profiles as a low-end fantasy QB2 heading into a Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Nov 19, 2025 11:40 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is headed to Injured Reserve after aggravating a bone bruise and knee sprain from earlier this season, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penix also has damage to his ACL, which could require a full knee reconstruction. The young lefty signal-caller will be forced to miss at least the next four games while on IR, but all signs are pointing to him missing the rest of the 2025 season as well. Veteran Kirk Cousins, who did not look very good in his one start in place of Penix earlier this year, will now be thrust into the starting role in Atlanta for potentially the rest of the year. Fantasy managers might want to temper expectations for Cousins, especially since he'll be without top receiver Drake London (knee) for at least a little while. If the 25-year-old Penix has full knee reconstruction, it's possible he won't be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 season next fall.
Nov 17, 2025 12:45 PM EST
The knee injury that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) suffered during his team's Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers is "potentially season-ending," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that Penix Jr. "will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging." Knee troubles are particularly worrisome for Penix Jr.'s long-term outlook, as he suffered two ACL tears during his college career. If his 2025 season is indeed over, he will finish the year with 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions across nine games played. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins took over for Penix Jr. in Week 11 and would likely be Atlanta's starter for the remainder of the 2025 season. Cousins has struggled so far this year, completing 32 of 52 pass attempts for 250 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions across three games (one start). There should be more clarity around the exact nature of Penix Jr.'s injury in the coming days, but fantasy managers should prepare for Cousins to get the start in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints and beyond.
Nov 17, 2025 11:04 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) aggravated the same knee injury that forced him to miss time earlier this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The second-year quarterback had completed 13 of his 16 pass attempts for 175 yards before exiting Sunday's Week 11 loss against the Carolina Panthers. Rapoport notes that Penix is headed for additional testing, but the initial expectation is that he will miss time. That would leave Kirk Cousins in line to make his second start of the season next Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran went just 6-for-14 passing with 48 yards in relief of Penix this week. He led zero touchdown drives but did get Atlanta in position for two fourth-quarter field goals.
Nov 16, 2025 8:06 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris did not have an update on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) while addressing the media following Sunday's Week 11 loss against the Carolina Panthers. Morris did note that "there was a chance Penix could come back in the game, but [it] was not looking good," according to Baillie Burmaster of Atlanta News First. The head coach's comments seem to indicate that Penix may have been available in an emergency situation, but the team opted to play Kirk Cousins in a close divisional battle that went to overtime. The second-year quarterback will likely undergo additional testing on Sunday or Monday so that the team can gain more clarity on his status. He'll have seven days to get healthy before Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints. If he can't suit up next Sunday, Cousins would be in line to start his second game of the season. Whichever quarterback starts next week could be without wide receiver Drake London (knee), who exited in the waning minutes of Week 11 and was quickly ruled out.
Nov 16, 2025 5:01 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed just 12 of 28 passes in Week 10 for 177 yards, leaving him with a lowly 58.8 percent completion rate for the season. However, it was the fifth straight game with a touchdown pass, giving him an 8:1 TD:INT over that stretch. While the latter stat is notable, he could have a tough time continuing that trend on Sunday against the Panthers, which is a defense that is middle of the road against the pass and limited the lefty QB to 18-for-36 passing for 172 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in this matchup back in Week 3. After being sacked three times last week, the 25-year-old will also now be without starting left guard Matthew Bergeron (ankle), and his favorite target, Drake London (illness/back), heads into the weekend questionable after limited sessions Thursday and Friday. In what should be a competitive game, the Falcons have Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to rely on as well, so it all adds up to Penix being a low-end QB2 on Sunday.
Nov 15, 2025 12:24 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s accuracy went kaput in Germany, completing just 12 of his 28 pass attempts for 177 yards in Sunday's 31-25 overtime loss to the Colts, which included one touchdown pass and no interceptions. However, he also lost a fumble and was sacked three times. The 25-year-old came into the contest with a 60.8 percent completion percentage. But after this performance, it now stands at 58.8 percent. That is the third-lowest in the league, only slightly better than Tennessee's Cam Ward, whose league-low rate stands at 57.6 percent. Although the second-year QB owns a sterling 8:1 TD:INT over his last five games, the left-hander is hard to trust for fantasy with such low completion rates and near-zero value added with his legs. Atlanta has lost four straight, but has winnable matchups coming up (vs. CAR, @ NOR, @NYJ). Kirk Cousins didn't make the case for a quarterback change in his lone start in Week 8 against the Dolphins, but if the Falcons continue this losing streak against those teams, Penix may find himself on the hot seat.
Nov 11, 2025 2:59 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. appears to be rounding into form after a slow, inconsistent start to the season, now with a touchdown pass in four straight games and a 7:1 TD:INT over that span. While that's a positive, the 25-year-old is completing just 60.8 percent of his passes, which is the fourth-lowest mark in the NFL, only slightly better than the likes of Cam Ward (57.6 percent) and Dillon Gabriel (59.9 percent), so he can be hard to trust for fantasy. Week 10 brings a road matchup against the Colts in Berlin, Germany, a defense that is middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs, and that has allowed the fourth-most passing YPG in the NFL over the last three games (268.7). Penix has a lower completion percentage on the road (56.1 percent), but Indianapolis has been more forgiving on the road, allowing 24.5 points per game on the road compared to 16.6 PPG at home. They'll also be without pass-rushing DT DeForest Buckner, which should give Penix a bit more time to throw, and as 6.5-point underdogs, that's likely what he'll have to do. Even so, the left-handed QB shapes up as a mid-range QB2 in Week 10.
Nov 8, 2025 12:20 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 22 of his 37 pass attempts for 221 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 9 loss against the New England Patriots. He also added two rushing attempts for 19 rushing yards. Penix returned from a one-game absence and delivered his best fantasy performance of the season, finishing with three passing touchdowns for the first time in his young career. All three of those touchdown passes went to Drake London, who also accounted for more than half of Penix's passing yards. Penix fared well enough against a strong Patriots defense that we expect him to remain a solid QB1 option against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10.
Nov 2, 2025 8:39 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will return from a one-week absence to face the Patriots on Sunday. The 25-year-old was a full participant on Friday and heads into the contest without an injury designation. The left-handed QB has thrown just five touchdown passes in six games played this season (three interceptions), and will face a New England defense that is yielding the ninth-fewest passing yards per game (194.7) over their last three and the fourth-fewest points allowed per game on the season (18.3 PPG; 15.0 PPG last three). The second-year pro owns a 1:2 TD:INT in three road games this season, averaging just around 183 yards passing in those contests. The Falcons have an implied point total of under 20 points for Sunday's matchup, which does not foretell great things from Penix, leaving him as a low-end QB2 option in Week 9.
Nov 1, 2025 12:11 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was a full participant in practice on Friday and is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's matchup against the New England Patriots. Penix was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but upgraded to full on Friday and is all set to return after missing Week 8 with a bone bruise in his knee. The 25-year-old has been up-and-down in six games this season, completing 61% of his pass attempts for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Penix will be joined by Atlanta's top wideout, Drake London, as he will return on Sunday after missing last week's game with a hip injury. Penix will rank as a low-end QB2 in Week 9 against the Patriots.
Oct 31, 2025 4:14 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant for the second straight day on Thursday as he battles a bone bruise in his knee. Penix Jr. was sidelined in Week 8 due to the injury. However, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris expressed confidence earlier this week that his starting quarterback would return in Week 9 against the New England Patriots. If that proves not to be the case, Atlanta would likely turn to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who struggled in the team's Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Across six games played so far this season, Penix Jr. has completed 61% of his pass attempts for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He profiles as a low-end fantasy QB2 if active in Week 9 against New England.
Oct 30, 2025 4:53 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is considered day-to-day with the bone bruise in his knee. Still, head coach Raheem Morris told reporters on Wednesday that he feels "really good" about his QB for Sunday's Week 9 game against the New England Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Morris also said that the second-year signal-caller is in line to take part in Wednesday's walk-through practice, although it's unclear if he'll be full-go or limited. Either way, it's good news for the 25-year-old southpaw after he missed the Week 8 upset loss to the Miami Dolphins. He was limited in practice all of last week before being ruled out, so Penix may need to upgrade to a full practice at some point this week to be cleared to play on Sunday. If Penix plays this weekend, he'll be a midrange QB2 in fantasy versus the Pats, although he could be without his top wideout in Drake London (hip), who also missed last weekend's loss.
Oct 29, 2025 12:14 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Monday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be day-to-day this week, according to Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com. Penix suffered a bone bruise in his knee late in the Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and did not play in Sunday's upset loss to the visiting Miami Dolphins. Atlanta's offense didn't have any juice with both Penix and top receiver Drake London (hip) both inactive. Backup QB Kirk Cousins fell flat in his first start of 2025, throwing for only 173 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against a soft Dolphins defense. It's unclear if Penix will be able to return to action in Week 9 against the New England Patriots, and it will depend on how much he's able to do at practice this week. If Penix makes progress and returns on Sunday against the Pats, he'll be back in play as a midrange QB2 in fantasy football lineups.
Oct 27, 2025 5:56 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's contest against the Miami Dolphins. Penix was unable to practice in full this week and will now miss his first game of the campaign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status next week, leading up to their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. After totaling 250 yards and a score in their Week 6 victory over the Bills, Penix took a step back last Sunday, tallying in their loss to the 49ers. As a result, veteran QB Kirk Cousins is set to make his first start of the season. Cousins is worth viewing as a mid-end QB2 facing a struggling Miami defense. However, his upside will be capped, as he will be without his top wideout, Drake London (hip).
Oct 26, 2025 11:43 AM EST
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) "has a real chance" to play in Week 9 against the New England Patriots. The signal-caller was limited in practice throughout the week because of a bone bruise in his knee. Although Rapoport added that Penix might have been on the field had it been a playoff game, it appears Kirk Cousins will get the start in Sunday's meeting with the Miami Dolphins. Cousins has had a productive career in the National Football League. He's appeared in 165 regular-season contests, throwing for 43,008 yards, 288 touchdowns, and 126 interceptions while completing 66.9% of his throws. The 37-year-old has a favorable matchup on the horizon versus a Dolphins defense that has allowed 29.3 points per game during the 2025 campaign. Granted, Cousins still may not be the safest fantasy option. However, with players like Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Bryce Young (ankle), Brock Purdy (toe), and Jayden Daniels (hamstring) ailing along with more than a handful of teams on a bye, Cousins at least warrants consideration for Superflex formats. The same can be said for single-QB setups.
Oct 26, 2025 1:28 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is questionable to play in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins due to a knee injury. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter also reports that Morris said Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has taken more reps later in the week. Through six games, Penix Jr. has completed 61% of his pass attempts for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. If he is unable to play against Miami, the Falcons have one of the most experienced backups in the league in Cousins. In 14 starts for Atlanta last season, the 37-year-old Cousins completed 66.9% of his pass attempts for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Should Cousins get the start in Week 8, he would profile as a solid fantasy QB2 but should likely be avoided in single-quarterback formats.
Oct 24, 2025 3:17 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week due to a bone bruise in his knee. However, he told reporters on Wednesday that he was feeling good after he injured his knee late in the Sunday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. When asked if he plans to play this Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins, the second-year signal-caller said, "Yes, that's the plan." The 25-year-old southpaw has completed only 61% of his 195 pass attempts through six games in 2025, throwing for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns, and three picks in his first full year as Atlanta's starter. The matchup in Miami is an excellent one, but the Falcons may not need to rely much on Penix's left arm. Fantasy managers should consider the Washington product as a midrange QB2 play this weekend.
Oct 23, 2025 6:31 PM EST
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