Things just went from bad to worse for the Atlanta Falcons' injury front, and that all starts with Michael Penix Jr. It was previously reported that the second-year quarterback re-aggravated his knee injury and would miss some time, but we are finally aware of how much time he might be sidelined for.
The Dirty Birds can't seem to catch a break after Penix missed Week 8 due to a bone bruise in his knee, but ESPN's Adam Schefter just confirmed fans' worst fear. The 25-year-old suffered a potentially season-ending injury in the Week 11 loss to the Panthers, salting the wound of another gutting loss.
With Penix now on IR, Kirk Cousins will serve as the starter for the 3-7 Falcons. And with Atlanta now missing their franchise quarterback, it's become clear more now than ever that this season is completely over. And all fans can do now is just wait for this nightmare of a season to come to a close.
Michael Penix Jr. might miss the remainder of the season for Falcons
To make matters even worse, star wide receiver Drake London also injured his knee against the Panthers and didn't return to the game. This means that entering Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta offense could be without both their QB1 and WR1. Talk about a disappointment.
In nine starts this season, the 2024 first-round pick has thrown for just 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. And if the reports are true that his season is over, he showed glimpses of being the long-term answer, but never enough to put the concerns of the fanbase completely to rest.
However, having Cousins is an alternative is far, far worse. The 37-year-old started 14 games for the Falcons last season before Penix replaced him, in which he threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a career-high 16 interceptions. But unfortunately, his 2025 numbers are a total disaster.
In limited action this season, the four-time Pro Bowler has completed just 61.5% of his passes, as the offense sputtered as soon as he took over in Week 11. And in his lone start of the season, the Falcons were trounced, 34-10, by a Dolphins team that has been just as dysfunctional.
The veteran signal-caller signed a four-year, $180 million contract last offseason, but it didn't take long for management to admit fault on that decision. They drafted Penix eighth overall just a month later and have never considered trading him since they're aware nobody wants to take on that contract,
While there are certainly worse insurance options to have, losing your face of the franchise to his third season-ending knee injury since college is certainly cause for concern.