When Will Michael Penix Jr. Return from Injury? Latest on Falcons QB, Kirk Cousins

It appears the Atlanta Falcons will be without starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for an extended period of time—and possibly the rest of the season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Penix may have suffered a season-ending knee injury during Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero added that Penix also suffered damage to his ACL:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero previously reported that Penix "is believed to have aggravated the same knee injury as earlier in the season."

"That bone bruise in the same knee kept him out one game. More tests coming, but there is concern he'll miss some time," Rapoport and Pelissero wrote.

Penix exited the matchup against the Panthers with a left knee injury, and Falcons coach Raheem Morris didn't have an update after the loss. Morris told reporters that there was a chance Penix could have come back in the game, but things "didn't look good."

Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins said he's unsure whether he'll be the starter against the New Orleans Saints next week, but he'll be preparing to take over under center.

Morris said after the game that the Falcons will prepare for Cousins to start next week.

"You change [the] quarterback, so you got to do what the quarterback deos well, so we'll go find out what Kirk does well this week," Morris told reporters. "I'm sure he'll have some input on it and so [offensive coordinator] Zac [Robinson] and those guys will work together depending on what happens with Michael and we'll be able to figure those things out when we get closer to practice on Wednesday."

Cousins struggled after coming in for Penix, recording 48 yards on 6-of-14 passing. It was just the third time he's played this season after starting most of the 2024 campaign with the Falcons. Cousins started against the Miami Dolphins in October, completing 173 passing yards on 21-of-31 passing.

Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, joined the Falcons ahead of the 2024 season after his time with the Minnesota Vikings came to an end. Though Cousins was coming off a significant injury, there were high hopes for him in Atlanta.

He failed to live up to those lofty expectations, though, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games. He was benched in favor of Penix for the final three games of the season.

Penix has had a decent first year as Atlanta's starter, throwing for 1,807 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He had 175 yards on 13-of-16 passing before exiting Sunday's contest.

▶️ Full Panthers-Falcons Recap

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Penix isn't the only key member of the Falcons' offense dealing with an injury. Star wide receiver Drake London exited in overtime with a knee injury after recording 119 yards on seven receptions.

The 3-7 Falcons are already a stretch to make the postseason, and being without Penix and London would only hurt their chances further.