Falcons to start QB Michael Penix Jr. at Packers

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game in Green Bay against the Packers.

The team announced the decision Monday evening.

Penix, 26, suffered a torn ACL last November and has spent the past 10 months rehabbing. He told reporters last week he still had a few physical hurdles to clear and biometric marks to hit before playing, but evidently, he’s checked all boxes.

The Falcons’ players learned the news during their offense’s team meeting Monday afternoon.

“Just seeing him grind on the side, obviously coming back from the injury, getting him to be where he needs to be, it’s great to have him back this week,” tight end Kyle Pitts said Monday.

The Falcons started veteran Cooper Rush in their first two games, and the team benched Rush for undrafted rookie Jack Strand in the middle of the third quarter in Sunday’s 34-3 loss to the Panthers.

Collectively, the Falcons’ quarterbacks have thrown five interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and they’ve lost a pair of fumbles across Weeks 1 and 2.

Pitts said it was great hearing news of Penix’s return to full health, but he appreciates the contributions Rush and Strand provided.

“I feel like Jack and Coop did a good job of holding it down while they could,” Pitts said. “Having No. 9 back is good momentum, obviously, coming off this loss, looking to get in the win column this week.”

Penix, a first-round pick in 2024, started nine games last season before tearing his left ACL. He completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He spent this summer competing with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting quarterback job, and with Tagovailoa out because of an oblique injury, Penix gets the first start between the two.

Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees touted Penix’s practice performance last week, when he split first-team snaps with Rush. Penix has participated in 11-on-11 sessions at practice since Aug. 24.

“I think Mike’s looked good,” Rees said Sept. 17. “He’s been really going here for a few weeks now. I don’t know Mike pre-injury very well, except from afar. But he looks sharp, moving well. I think he has confidence in (his knee).

“Obviously, his arm talent is easily seen. But in terms of like the lower-body movement and his ability to play quick and do those things, I think Mike’s progressed really nicely.”

Falcons safety Xavier Watts said Penix has been “sprinkled in” for practice reps against the first-team defense.

“I feel like he’s looked good,” Watts said Monday. “He’s done a great job. He’s a great arm talent. He’s a smart player. I mean, he’s done a good job.”