Michael Penix Jr. Addresses Injury History in Open Letter to NFL GMs Ahead of Draft

On Monday, former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. discussed his injury history ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Penix addressed the slew of injuries that he dealt with throughout the early portion of his collegiate career in a letter to NFL general managers that was published by The Players' Tribune.

"Truth is, I'd be more worried if I had never been injured," he wrote. "We don't all come back the same. I can't speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I've seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I'm prepared to weather. For most people that'd be the end of their story. But there's more to my story, and I own every page of it."

Penix suffered four season-ending injuries from 2018 through 2021, dating back to his days at Indiana. This included multiple torn ACL injuries on the same right knee, as he appeared in just 21 total games in four years with the Hoosiers.

He addressed the talk surrounding his durability, reminding general managers that he's "put almost 2,000 plays on tape since my last injury."

He's been able to stay on the field once he transferred to Washington in Dec. 2021, suiting up in 15 games for the Huskies in 2023 and battling through an ankle injury during the team's appearance in the national championship game.

Penix finished the year with 4,903 yards, recording 36 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions while posting his second straight year with a completion percentage above 65 percent.

"There's been plenty of other guys who were cut from the same fabric, who experienced the same challenges, and displayed the same resilience," wrote Penix. "Guys you would've lost money on, if you bet against them. Guys like Thomas Davis, who went on to make three Pro Bowls after tearing the same ACL three times. Guys like Frank Gore, who had a 16-year Hall-of-Fame-level career at running back after tearing his ACL twice in college."

"So I have no problem taking all the MRI's and X-rays you ask of me," he added.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department, Penix fell to the third round before he was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 70 overall pick.

However, he could certainly hear his name called earlier if front offices aren't overly worried about his injury history, especially given his openness to additional testing.