Michael Penix Jr. Begins Rehab, Targeting 2026 Return: A Welcome Sign for Falcons' Future
There’s no sugarcoating it - when Michael Penix Jr. went down with another ACL injury, his third since college, it cast a long shadow over the Atlanta Falcons’ long-term quarterback plans. But just in time for the holidays, Falcons fans got the kind of update that feels like an early Christmas gift: Penix is back in the building, and rehab is officially underway.
Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed that Penix has returned to the team facility and is already deep into his recovery process. “His whole process has started as far as what he’s going to do.
His calendar is laid out,” Morris told reporters Wednesday. That’s the first tangible sign of progress since the injury - and a clear indication that the team is still invested in the rookie quarterback’s future.
A Long Road, But a Familiar One
Penix’s injury history is well-documented, and this latest setback - coming so early in his NFL journey - raised fair questions about his durability. But this isn’t uncharted territory for him. He’s faced the ACL recovery grind before, and he knows what it takes to come back.
What makes this recovery a bit more complicated is that the injury was to the opposite knee from his previous ACL tears. That’s not just a footnote - it matters.
Each knee responds differently, and the timeline can vary based on how the body adjusts to the new stress. Still, the early signs are encouraging, and the team is cautiously optimistic.
The Timeline: August Is in Play
Penix underwent surgery about a month ago, and the typical recovery window for an ACL tear runs between 9 to 12 months. That puts a best-case return around late August - just in time for the start of the 2026 season.
But that’s a moving target. If the rehab stretches closer to the 12-month mark, we’re looking at a possible return in mid-November, which would push his availability deep into the season.
Morris didn’t offer specifics on the rehab calendar, and that’s no surprise. There’s no benefit to setting firm expectations this early. What matters most is that Penix is back in the building, working with the team’s medical and training staff, and beginning the process.
The Quarterback Picture in Atlanta
While Penix recovers, Kirk Cousins continues to hold down the starting job. And to his credit, he’s done it well enough to stir up some conversation about the future of the position in Atlanta. But make no mistake - the Falcons didn’t use a first-round pick on Penix just to let him ride the bench indefinitely.
Twelve starts into his NFL career, Penix has shown flashes, but it’s still too early to draw any sweeping conclusions. The coaching staff still views him as a long-term piece, and this rehab process will be a critical step in determining how soon he can get back to competing for that role.
What Comes Next
This is where the real work begins. Penix has a long offseason ahead, and every rep, every milestone in rehab will matter.
The fact that he’s already back with the team is a good sign - not just physically, but mentally. Being around the facility, staying plugged into the playbook, and maintaining that connection with teammates and coaches will go a long way in setting him up for a successful return.
The Falcons are playing the long game here. They drafted Penix with the future in mind, and while his path has hit another bump, the organization is still firmly behind him. The next few months will be crucial, but for now, Penix is on track - and that’s exactly what Atlanta needed to hear.