The Falcons will head into their matchup with the Panthers without Michael Penix Jr. again, and Atlanta has now made the decision official: he’s out.
That leaves the Falcons short one of the biggest names in their quarterback room at a time when they’re still trying to find their rhythm on offense. Penix’s absence isn’t just a lineup note - it forces Atlanta to keep adjusting on the fly and lean on the rest of its quarterbacks to carry the load.
The timing matters because Carolina brings a defense that will be looking to apply pressure and create takeaways. For Atlanta, that puts a premium on clean football. Avoiding mistakes and limiting negative plays becomes even more critical when the team is already operating without Penix.
The former Washington star came into the league with plenty of attention after Atlanta took him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. His arm strength and downfield talent made him a key part of the franchise’s long-range plan under center.
For now, though, the Falcons have to press ahead without him.
That means the burden shifts to the rest of the offense as well. Atlanta has enough playmakers to make the quarterback’s job easier, but the unit will need strong work from the offensive line, the running game and the receiving corps to keep one position from carrying too much of the load.
It also gives the Falcons another chance to show they can handle early-season adversity. The immediate concern for Penix is simply getting healthy and avoiding any setback, because Atlanta still has a long season in front of it and needs him available for the bulk of it.
Until he’s back, the Falcons will have to find a different answer against Carolina.
In Other News...
Panthers Just Lost A Receiver Dave Canales Still Wanted Back
The Panthers moved on from Jimmy Horn Jr., but not quietly. Carolina waived the rookie wide receiver and returner after taking him in the sixth round this year, even though Dave Canales had made it clear he would have liked to keep Horn in the building. Horns speed and versatility gave the staff another option on offense and special teams, and he had carved out a small but useful role as the roster churn continued.
Horn is now heading to Cleveland, where he is signing with the Browns practice squad and will reconnect with former college quarterback Shedeur Sanders. For Carolina, it is another reminder of how thin the margins can be for young receivers trying to stick, especially when a coaching staff still sees value but cannot keep everyone. The Panthers now have to figure out how to replace one of the players Canales seemed most interested in developing further. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr Puts Falcons Quarterback Decision Back In Play
Todd Bowles put a little more pressure on the NFC Souths quarterback conversation Monday when he said Baker Mayfield still needs to tighten up his ball security and cut down on turnovers. For Carolina, that only adds to the sense that the division is still very much in flux, with every opponent trying to sort out stability at the games most important position while the Panthers keep piecing together their own roster.
One of those moving parts is in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. is continuing his recovery and was a full participant in practice while sharing reps with Cooper Rush. It is another sign that the Falcons have a decision to make as the season goes on, and the Panthers are watching all of it with interest, especially after waiving cornerback Jimmy Horn to make room for linebacker Tyrel Dodson and stressing that Horns development remains part of the long view. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Gave Up On Jimmy Horn Jr After One Costly Mistake
Jimmy Horn Jr.'s quick exit from Carolina says plenty about how thin the margin can be for a young receiver trying to stick in the NFL. The Panthers waived the sixth-round pick after a key mistake in their Week 1 loss, and when he went unclaimed on waivers, his next step came into focus quickly. Horn appeared in 13 games as a rookie, but the early stumble proved costly in a roster race where every snap matters.
Now Horn is headed to Cleveland, where he will reunite with his college quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. For a player trying to reset after being let go so early in the season, the Browns offer a familiar connection and another chance to show he can be more than one bad moment in Carolina. The Panthers, meanwhile, move on from a young receiver whose stay never had much room to breathe. [Read more 🡒]