The Atlanta Falcons announced Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will miss the remainder of the season after tests confirmed a partial ACL tear in his left knee.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted: #Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr does, in fact, need surgery to repair his ACL, with 9 months of recovery, at least, coming. He’s sought the opinion of experts, including from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Penix has an ACL sprain, but full reconstruction is needed … The timeline for Michael Penix’s ACL surgery puts him right up against the start of the 2026 season. Nine months from now is mid-August. At the least, Atlanta will have to have a secure backup plan in case all does not go as anticipated.”
The injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers, when Penix was sacked on third down and left the field for evaluation. He finished the day completing 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards before exiting with Atlanta ahead 21-19. The defeat dropped the Falcons to 3-7.
Head coach Raheem Morris said there is no formal timetable for his return, adding that medical evaluations so far have been encouraging, saying “Obviously, everybody’s different … but it was really positive news from all the doctors that looked at it.” Despite the setbacks, Morris expressed confidence in Penix’s resilience, saying “He has dealt with it, but what we know of Mike … from all the injuries he has come back stronger. We feel really confident that this will be the same way. I have no doubt that Mike’s going to attack this rehab and attack all things that can get done to be ready for his team and ready to go as soon as possible.”
This is Penix’s fifth season-ending injury in eight combined seasons between college and the NFL. The 2024 first-round pick previously tore his right ACL twice in college and now faces a lengthy rehab on his left knee. Before the ACL tear, he had completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns, three interceptions, and one rushing score. He had also missed one game earlier this season due to a bone bruise in the same knee.
Veteran Kirk Cousins, who replaced Penix on Sunday, will take over as the starter as Atlanta heads to New Orleans for a key NFC South matchup. Cousins – who signed a four-year, $180 million deal before the Falcons drafted Penix – is 32-for-52 for 250 yards this season and went 6-of-14 for 48 yards in the loss to Carolina. With Penix now out long-term, the Falcons elevated Easton Stick from the practice squad and added Kyle Trask to the practice unit to restore depth behind Cousins.
Atlanta will also head into Sunday’s game without top receiver Drake London, who injured his left knee late in regulation against Carolina and did not return for overtime. Morris confirmed London will sit out Sunday’s game, marking his second absence of the season. London had produced seven catches for 119 yards before exiting, extending a streak of three straight 100-yard outings and giving him five such performances in his last six games. He ranks among the league leaders with 60 receptions (tied seventh), 810 yards (fourth), and six touchdowns (tied sixth).
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