Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season could be in jeopardy after knee injury, per ESPN report
The news keeps getting worse for the Falcons.
Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s season could be over after he suffered a left knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, according to a report Monday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The team did not immediately confirm the report.
Coach Raheem Morris is scheduled to speak to the media later Monday.
Penix sustained the injury late in the third quarter and did not return to the game, giving way to the backup, Kirk Cousins. Penix was evading two Panthers pass rushers, and when he was tackled, his left knee buckled awkwardly under him.
In 2020, Penix was a second-team All-Big Ten selection at Indiana, but he tore his ACL in his right knee versus Maryland in November and missed the rest of the season.
According to Schefter’s report, Penix will seek a second opinion, but the outlook is “not encouraging.”
Penix was having a solid game, going 13-of-16 for 175 yards before the injury. Cousins, finished 6-of-14 for 48 yards.
The Falcons lost in overtime, 30-27, and fell to 3-7 this season.
Cousins was the Falcons’ starter last season until Penix replaced him for the last three games. Cousins is the highest-paid backup in the league after signing a four-year deal worth $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed before last season.
After Sunday’s loss, Cousins was asked if he was looking forward to the game against New Orleans, the team’s next opponent.
“We don’t know where this will go, but kind of day to day, and we’ll see where we end up,” Cousins said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect that Penix suffered ACL injuries in college in his right knee.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
