The Falcons are turning back to Michael Penix Jr. for Thursday night’s matchup with the Packers, ending the week of guessing and giving Atlanta a different look under center against Green Bay.
Penix has been sidelined for the first two games of the season, along with Tua Tagovailoa, which left Cooper Rush and Jack Strand to handle the quarterback duties. Now Atlanta is going with Penix against Green Bay on Thursday Night Football.
His path back has been a long one. Penix tore his ACL in Week 11 last year, began doing limited work with Atlanta in May and was able to get back into full practices after the preseason. The knee injury was his third ACL tear, and the first in his left knee after twice tearing the right ACL in college.
Even with the return, there are still obvious questions about what Atlanta is getting. Penix has a 4-8 record in the NFL and has completed less than 60 percent of his passes.
He has 12 touchdown passes, six interceptions and an 85.8 passer rating. By comparison, Packers quarterback Jordan Love has a 96.5 career rating, sits at 89.6 this season and has been above Penix’s career average in both of Green Bay’s games this year, even while the offense has struggled.
That said, Penix should be a clear step up from the alternatives. Rush and Strand have combined for 30 completions on 54 attempts for 247 yards, just 5.3 yards per pass, with one touchdown and five interceptions. Their combined passer rating is 38.2, and they have already been sacked seven times for 41 yards.
The bigger problem has been the entire Atlanta passing game. The Falcons have not reached the red zone yet this season, making them the first team since the 2008 St.
Louis Rams to go into Week 3 without a trip there. Those Rams finished 2-14.
Atlanta does have two big names at receiver in Drake London and Kyle Pitts, but they have been almost invisible so far. Together, they have just seven catches for 95 yards in 2026. Penix’s mobility will be worth watching, but after two weeks of the league’s worst passing game, the Falcons can only hope the change at quarterback gives them a lift.
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