Quarterback Michael Penix is in line to start against the Bears on Sunday “as long as everything goes accordingly,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski told Atlanta reporters Wednesday.
Penix hurt his ribs late in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s overtime loss to the Ravens. He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa, who completed two passes and then threw an interception in overtime to seal the game.
Penix, a former first-round pick, gave the 0-2 Falcons a boost when he returned from last year’s torn ACL and rattled off two wins. Tagovailoa, whom the Falcons signed as a free agent this offseason, had not played until Sunday’s game.
Penix is 52-for-77 for 719 yards and a whopping 104.8 passer rating this season. He’s thrown three touchdowns and one interception. Penix, who was drafted seven spots after Caleb Williams three years ago, is 6-9 in three seasons.