Michael Penix Jr. Injured, Falcons QB Updates Status & Return Timeline After Tua's Game-Ending INT

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a rib injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-23 overtime loss against the Baltimore Ravens after taking a big hit in the pocket.

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted Penix will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury:

After missing the Falcons' drive in overtime, Penix told reporters following the game that he doesn't believe it will be a long-term injury, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi:

Head coach Kevin Stefanski had previously provided more information on the injured quarterback after the contest.

"I hope he's great," Falcons running back Bijan Robinson about Penix, per Raimondi. "I hope that it could maybe only be just a bruise or something like that, and it just felt a little like that in the moment, but I just pray he's all right. I know the whole team does."

Penix, 26, had a solid game, throwing for 240 yards and a touchdown. But on the final drive in regulation he took a big hit from Tavius Robinson and fumbled, though Atlanta managed to recover the loose ball.

The game then went into overtime and the Ravens scored a touchdown on their first possession. Penix remained on the bench and was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa, who threw a pick on the second play of the drive.

Injuries have been a massive story in Penix's career. The young quarterback only appeared in nine games last season after suffering a left ACL injury that required season-ending surgery. He missed the first two games of the NFL season but provided a spark upon his return, as Atlanta had won two games in a row heading into Sunday night.

Penix also tore his ACL twice in college, and shoulder injuries also cost him significant time at the college level. It's been a bumpy road from a health perspective.

Depending on the severity of this latest injury, Tagovailoa could be called back into action. He was released by the Miami Dolphins ahead of the 2026 campaign after a string of disappointing seasons, though he brings plenty of experience (76 career starts) to the position.