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.
Fortunately, 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.
We can’t no if Penix is the answer yet he hasn’t even played 13 games as a starter yet
Me too, its so frustrating with all the talent this team has….I’m not savy enough to pinpoint what the problem is? Seem like everything honestly. Offense is too predictable, defense is much better but than some games they make QBs like Bryce Young look like MVPs. Too much talent to blow up the team and rebuild. Rebuilding management from top down seems the only thing they can attempt?
Bro Bruce has both of his career games vs us dude had like 400yds man smh
Great. Now Cousins will pepper Mooney with targets instead of London
Both QBs stink. Cousins was at least good previously though.
Cousins had some good passes but his legs are still jittery in the pocket. The coaches hopefully will emphasize deeper drops but does he truly trust his line? They are better at run blocking, which is why Robinson needs to get at least 25 carries a game. He can handle it.
Don’t worry this lost season will get us a really good first round draft pick…oh wait!!!
High seconds are still valuable. Hang in there.
Fire Morris.
He had a laundry list of injuries in college so it was bound to happen in the NFL.
It is sad when the announcers can call the play based on the formation so if the announcers see that so can the other team. I hear something this morning I did not know that Raheem Moris and Mike McDaniel were on the staff when Dan Quinss was the head coach. Story went on to say Raheem went to Quinn and ratted out McDaniel for a drinking problem !!!! Read another story that Falcons might be in the market for a new QB. Penix stats put him in the bottom of the league but I have to wonder what difference a good OC would do for him ? Look at the changes other QBs this year alone have benefited with a good OC. Maybe they could teach him how to slide and how many intentional penalties has he had this year ?
Falcons can solve all their problems by joining the SEC. They might even be able to beat the Bulldogs with some luck 🙂
Ratted out is an interesting interpretation of that article. McDaniel credited those other coaches with his current sobriety and was thankful for their intervention.
Yes go back and look at the 2016 superbowl run Falcons coaching staff, its a crazy all star type list….Quinn, Kyle Shanahan, Matt and Mike Lafluer, Mike McDaniel, Raheem Morris, Jeff Ulbrich. Crazy good staff.
Until they stopped running the ball with a 28-3 lead … that game still makes me mad.