The Atlanta Falcons say Michael Penix Jr. will get the start at quarterback Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, has been sidelined since tearing his ACL in a Week 11 loss to Carolina in the 2025 season. He had knee surgery last November, participated in limited work through the spring and most of training camp, and was finally cleared for full 11-on-11 drills in the last week of the preseason. Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised Penix’s recovery and said the QB looks sharp, is moving well and has regained confidence in his lower body and mobility, complementing his obvious arm talent.
Penix had aimed to be available for Week 1 but told coach Kevin Stefanski before the opener that he wasn’t comfortable returning that soon, noting he’s avoided rushing back from knee problems in the past and wants to be 100% ready before stepping in. The 26-year-old has started 12 games across his first two seasons in Atlanta, going 1-2 as a rookie and 3-6 last year before the injury. His accuracy improved slightly last season and his touchdown-to-interception numbers jumped — from 3 TDs and 3 INTs as a rookie to 9 TDs and 3 INTs — and he posted the league’s lowest interception rate on pass attempts (1.1%).
With Penix out, Cooper Rush started Atlanta’s first two games; the Falcons lost both and remain the only offense in the NFL yet to reach the red zone. On Thursday, Penix will face a Packers defense that surrendered 39 points in a Week 1 loss in Minnesota and allowed 17 in a narrow win over the Jets, and that currently ranks around eighth in passing yards allowed and ninth against the run.
Fan Take: This is a big moment for Atlanta’s season — a healthy Penix gives the Falcons their best chance to ignite an stagnant offense. For the league, watching a young QB return successfully from a major knee injury will be closely watched for what it means about recovery timelines and roster decisions around injured passers.
Source: www.cbssports.com
