Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. missed his team’s Week 8 matchup, a blowout loss to the Dolphins, due to a bone bruise in his knee. That same issue could now force him to miss more time.
According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Penix is believed to have aggravated the prior injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, which forced him out of the game early. Atlanta fears its QB1 could be sidelined for a stretch.
The Falcons’ selection of Penix in last year’s draft was perhaps the biggest surprise of the event, as the club had just signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative free agent contract. Cousins’ demotion in favor of Penix during the 2024 campaign triggered plenty of trade/release speculation this offseason, though the trade deadline has passed and Cousins remains on the roster.
The 37-year-old was not particularly impressive in relief of Penix in the above-referenced Miami contest, and while Penix has flashed at times, his overall body of work puts him in the bottom half of the league in terms of both traditional quarterback rating (86.8) and QBR (53.6). The Falcons have now lost four in a row, and Penix started the last three games in that span (although those losses came by a combined 10 points, and the last two defeats were decided in overtime).
Now sitting at 3-7 and in third place in the NFC South, the Falcons will surely be cautious with Penix. Cousins will again step into the starting lineup for however long Penix is out, and if he performs well, he could perhaps convince a team in need of a bridge passer this offseason to swing a trade for him.
Coming into Sunday’s Week 11 game, Penix had completed just 58.8% of his passes, which was the third-worst mark in the league among qualified players. While the Falcons were just inside the top half of the league in terms of total offense, they were a bottom-six outfit in terms of points per game.
Per Tori McElhaney of the team’s official website, top wideout Drake London also exited Sunday’s loss early due to a knee injury of his own. London’s hip ailment forced him to miss the game that Cousins started earlier this year, so it will be bad luck for both London and the veteran passer if the knee injury leads to missed time.
Luckily, he may be able to avoid that. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, London’s malady is not believed to be overly serious, though an MRI on Monday will reveal more.
Argh I hate being a falcons fan man
Is it time to can morris and bring in someone with an offensive mindset? You guys have been drafting pretty well and for the first time in like forever you acthave a decent pass rush but the offense is so disjointed. I’m not sure where it’s wrong but the whole operation seems to go off the rails for drives at a time and then at other points seem unstoppable. It’s so odd.
I agree brother it’s so frustrating. I’ve been talking to my brother about this. I would love to take a look at Joe Brady the Bills Off. Coordinator. I’m so tired of our second half adjustments and 90% plus outside zone runs. We are so predictable man. Without London we aren’t a pass threat either
From an outsider, the Falcons have too much talent to be playing like they are. Sounds like a coaching problem.
Admittedly a casual fan, but I every game I see he is mismanaging the most talented running back in the league by splitting reps with Allgeier and giving him goal line drives. Worst though seems to be his game and TO management. He coached under some great coaches you’d think he was in tune with their game management and strategy for situational football. With a young QB it’s so important to have an offensive head coach for stability, confidence and development. Any good offensive coordinators wont last more than 2 years and as a Bears fan I can point to the night and day difference b/w Caleb and kk the offensive rookies or second year players under Ben vs. Eberflus. I’m not convinced Penix is the answer but no way you’ll be able to determine that under this coaching regime.
Great. Now Cousins will pepper Mooney with targets instead of London
Both QBs stink. Cousins was at least good previously though.
Don’t worry this lost season will get us a really good first round draft pick…oh wait!!!
Fire Morris.
He had a laundry list of injuries in college so it was bound to happen in the NFL.