Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will undergo surgery for a partially-torn ACL, ending his 2025 season.
Penix Jr. injured his knee during the third quarter of the Falcons’ loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. A MRI revealed the ACL injury.
The next day, league sources told Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein that Penix Jr. was getting a second opinion regarding his injury and the next steps. On Wednesday, the team confirmed that Penix Jr. decided to have the ACL surgery.
The Falcons haven’t said the timetable they are expecting or if they think Penix Jr. will be ready before the 2026 season. But head coach Raheem Morris says he is confident the quarterback will do what is needed to get back.
“It’d be hard for me to say no right now,” head coach Raheem Morris said.
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BACKUP PLAN: KIRK COUSINS
The Falcons, who are on a five-game losing streak, will now turn back to their former starter Kirk Cousins.
Channel 2’s Alison Mastrangelo attended Wednesday’s practice at the Falcons facility in Flowery Branch, where Cousins spoke about the unique situation he finds himself in.
“The unknown can be difficult. That’s the life of a backup quarterback. I think not having that unknown gives you a different feeling,” Cousins said.
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said he thinks Cousins is ready to go now that he will have a full week of reps under his belt.
“Kirk knows the whole offense. He knows what to do to win games. We had him for a lot of the season last year. I think with him now is just getting back to that rhythm, that momentum for himself,” Robinson said.
