Falcons HC Updates Tua-Michael Penix Jr. QB1 Battle, Can Preseason Star Jack Strand Win Job?

The Atlanta Falcons' quarterback battle is heating up with the Sept. 13 season opener approaching, and, no, it does not realistically include preseason star Jack Strand.

On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Michael Penix Jr. was cleared for all football activities as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered last season. As a result, he will split first-team reps with Tua Tagovailoa.

"The new part for Mike is just being in there in with a full offensive line, a full defensive line, but he's been in walkthrough huddles, he's been in 7-on-7, he's obviously gone through individuals," Stefanski said. "So, this is a good—now that Mike is cleared—it's good that he can start that process of getting back to 11-on-11."

He added that he wouldn't speculate about whether Penix can start Week 1 but stressed, "everything we do around this building is competing."

The comments come after Strand shined in the team's preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. He went 12-of-17 for 212 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

The undrafted rookie drew some attention in the process:

Still, Stefanski said he will "work with the twos and threes" with Penix and Tagovailoa competing for the starting role.

There are plenty of concerns that come with both Tagovailoa and Penix. The former threw a career-high 15 interceptions last season after he was limited to just 11 games in 2024. He looked nothing like the Pro Bowl version of himself who led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023.

As for Penix, he is coming off the serious injury after also dealing with serious knee injuries in college. He is just 4-8 in 12 career starts since Atlanta selected him with the No. 8 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft and hasn't been able to work in full this offseason prior to being cleared.

The Falcons have just one preseason game remaining Friday against the Miami Dolphins, so perhaps Penix can make an impression during live-game action much like Strand did against the Colts.