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Falcons Name Penix Starting QB for Week 3
Confirmed
In Short: The Atlanta Falcons have announced Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for the Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, set for Thursday night. Penix, who was sidelined since tearing his ACL in Week 11 of the 2025 season, has been medically cleared for all football activities.
Penix, a 26-year-old quarterback, was initially expected to be ready for Week 1 but informed Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski that he was not where he wanted to be in terms of strength and readiness.
Penix underwent surgery in November and practiced in a limited capacity during spring and training camp. He made 12 starts during his first two seasons in Atlanta, showing a slight uptick in accuracy and a significant improvement in production.
Last season, Penix threw nine touchdowns and only three interceptions, compared to his rookie year when he threw three touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Falcons, who are 0-2 and coming off a 34-3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, are hoping Penix can provide a spark to their struggling offense.
Penix's long injury history, including a torn ACL in his right knee during his college days, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his performance.
Despite these concerns, the Falcons are optimistic that Penix can lead their offense against a Packers defense that has shown resilience in recent games.
What's confirmed
- The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for the Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, set for Thursday night. Penix, who was sidelined since tearing his ACL in Week 11 of the 2025 season, has been medically cleared for all football activities.
- Penix, a 26-year-old quarterback, was initially expected to be ready for Week 1 but informed Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski that he was not where he wanted to be in terms of strength and readiness.
- Penix underwent surgery in November and practiced in a limited capacity during spring and training camp. He made 12 starts during his first two seasons in Atlanta, showing a slight uptick in accuracy and a significant improvement in production.
- Last season, Penix threw nine touchdowns and only three interceptions, compared to his rookie year when he threw three touchdowns and three interceptions.
- The Falcons, who are 0-2 and coming off a 34-3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, are hoping Penix can provide a spark to their struggling offense.
- Penix's long injury history, including a torn ACL in his right knee during his college days, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his performance.
- Despite these concerns, the Falcons are optimistic that Penix can lead their offense against a Packers defense that has shown resilience in recent games.
What's still developing
- "I want to be stronger," Penix said at the time.
- On Thursday, Penix and Co. will face a Packers team that allowed 39 points in a loss in Minnesota in Week 1 and 17 points in a close win on Sunday against the Jets.
- Penix is also still a relatively unproven commodity with just 12 NFL starts under his belt.
- Penix is definitely an upgrade over Rush and Strand, but could be rusty in first outing back having not played in 10 months.