Michael Penix Jr. Will Start Week 3
Michael Penix Jr. has been named Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 3 against Green Bay, marking his official return from last season's knee injury.
Michael Penix Jr. Injury Update
ATLQBLast updated:
Michael Penix Jr. has been named Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 3 against Green Bay, marking his official return from last season's knee injury.
Current Status
StatusCleared
Injuryknee
PracticeFull
Game status—
Expected returnWeek 3 vs. Green Bay
PFM Impact
Major impact
Ratings affected
PFM Team ScoreOffense RatingQB Stability
Atlanta gets Penix back under center after Cooper Rush started the first two games. Penix gives the Falcons more mobility outside the pocket and a better chance to push the ball beyond the short areas of the field, which should open more intermediate and vertical opportunities for Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
Injury timeline
Michael Penix Jr. Injury History
8 updates · Latest September 21, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. Ruled Out for Week 2
Atlanta ruled Michael Penix Jr. out for Sunday's game against Carolina despite a full Friday practice.
Michael Penix Jr. Continues Full Practice Work
Kevin Stefanski said Michael Penix Jr. continues to practice fully as Atlanta evaluates its Week 2 quarterback options.
View 5 older injury updates
Week 2 May Be Too Early for Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr. continues working back from his knee injury, and Week 2 may still be too early for his return.
Michael Penix Jr. Reaches Full Practice
Michael Penix Jr. was a full participant in Falcons practice on September 9th while continuing his return from knee surgery; Atlanta still plans to make him inactive in Week 1.
Michael Penix Jr. Will Be Inactive for Week 1
Kevin Stefanski said Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive for Atlanta's Week 1 game against Pittsburgh as he continues his return-to-play plan from last season's left ACL tear. Penix was cleared for full-team 11-on-11 work on August 22nd.
Michael Penix Jr. returns to full-team 11-on-11 work
Michael Penix Jr. participated in full-team 11-on-11 work Monday for the first time in his ACL recovery and split first-team reps with Tua Tagovailoa.
Michael Penix Jr. cleared for full-team work
Michael Penix Jr. received medical clearance to return to 11-on-11 work after spending training camp limited to individual and seven-on-seven periods while recovering from ACL surgery.
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