The Atlanta Falcons fear quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, a setback that could sideline him for the rest of the year and reshape the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 14 trip to Atlanta.
Penix left the game in the second half after taking a hit on a passing play and did not return, with reports indicating he will seek a second opinion on the injured knee before the Falcons make any final decisions about his 2025 season.
For a Falcons team already reeling from a five-game losing streak and fading playoff hopes, the Michael Penix Jr. injury is a brutal blow. For the Seahawks, it means they might see a very different Atlanta offense when they visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 14.
Falcons Fear Michael Penix Jr. Suffered Potentially Season-Ending Knee Injury
Multiple national reports say the Falcons are concerned Penix’s knee injury “could be season-ending,” depending on the results of additional testing and medical opinions. On November 17, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Penix would head to the IR after reaggravating a bone bruise and knee sprain from earlier in the season. He also said there had been damage to Penix’s ACL, which could require surgery.
The second-year passer had given Atlanta a spark after taking over the starting job, but the offense stalled once he exited and veteran Kirk Cousins came on in relief during the overtime defeat to Carolina.
Michael Penix Jr.’s Long Injury History Makes Latest Setback Even Tougher
Part of why this Michael Penix Jr. injury update feels so ominous is his long history of serious knee problems.
During his college career at Indiana, Penix tore his right ACL twice and also dealt with shoulder injuries that ended seasons early before he eventually transferred to Washington, according to DraftSharks.
He then put together two healthy, high-volume seasons for the Huskies, easing some concerns heading into the NFL draft but never completely erasing questions about durability.
Those concerns resurfaced earlier this year when Penix missed time with a bone bruise in the same knee, and now the latest setback has raised the possibility of yet another long rehab.
For Falcons fans searching “Michael Penix Jr. injuries,” this is the context: a talented quarterback whose pro breakout has repeatedly competed with a lengthy medical file.
What Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury Means for Seahawks’ Week 14 Game in Atlanta
From a Seahawks perspective, the Penix news immediately answers one big question: Who will be under center for Atlanta in Week 14?
With Penix out long term, all signs point to Cousins reclaiming the starting job by the time Seattle comes to town. Reports already indicate Atlanta expects to lean on the veteran while Penix recovers.
That would significantly change the look of the Falcons offense the Seahawks are preparing for. Penix offers more mobility, off-script playmaking and a left-handed passing angle that can stress defenses in different ways. Cousins is a more traditional pocket passer whose success depends heavily on timing, rhythm and protection.
On paper, facing Cousins instead of Penix might seem like a break for Seattle, especially for a pass rush that prefers collapsing a defined pocket. But Cousins has years of experience picking apart coverages when he’s comfortable, and the Falcons still have offensive weapons in Bijan Robinson and Drake London who can challenge the Seahawks at every level of the field.
Seahawks vs. Falcons Week 14: Schedule, Stats & Context
The Seahawks are scheduled to face the Falcons in Week 14 on Sunday, Dec. 7, with kickoff set for 10 a.m. PT on FOX from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Atlanta’s loss to Carolina dropped the Falcons deeper into an NFC race that already felt like an uphill climb, and losing their young starter under center only makes a late-season run more difficult.
Seattle, meanwhile, remains in the thick of the playoff picture and can’t afford to drop games against struggling opponents on the road. The Seahawks’ pass rush, secondary health and Sam Darnold’s ability to protect the football will all be key storylines heading into the matchup.
For now, the biggest variable is clear: Penix’s knee. Until the Falcons share the results of his second opinion, fans will keep searching for the latest Michael Penix Jr. injury update — and the Seahawks will keep a close eye on Atlanta’s quarterback depth chart as a pivotal Week 14 game approaches.
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