According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix may have suffered a season ending injury during the Falcons 30-27 overtime loss against the Carolina Panthers. Penix exited the game in the third quarter after an awkward tackle took him to the ground. He didn’t return to the game.
Penix suffered a bone bruise in his left knee earlier this season which kept him out for the Falcons week seven game against the San Francisco 49ers. The fear is that this hit may have re-aggravated that injury.
According to Schefter’s sources, Penix is seeking a second opinion, though signs are pointing towards a season-ending surgery for the second-year QB.
Penix was 13/16 with 175 passing yards before he exited the game. Kirk Cousins came in to relieve him and went 6/14 as the Falcons offense faltered and they lost in OT to Carolina to drop them to 3-7 on the season.
Penix’s Unfortunate Injury History
Penix is unfortunately no stranger to injuries. The 25-year-old suffered two ACL grade three ACL tears in his right knee during his college career and has also suffered two right shoulder injuries that forced him to miss time in college.
The only good news is that those two ACL tears came in his right knee, while his injury earlier this season as well as this most recent one are in his left knee. Hopefully for Penix, a surgery (if necessary) can completely fix whatever has been aggravated this season and he can make a full recovery.
As a left-handed quarterback, Penix uses his left leg as his plant leg when he throws the ball. Even if surgery isn’t necessary, pain in that left knee could seriously obstruct his ability to make throws. Especially with the Falcons now at 3-7, it feels unlikely that we see Penix back on the field this season.
Penix’s numbers have slightly improved this season compared to the five games he played his rookie season. In nine games this year, he has completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Can Kirk Cousins Lead Atlanta Back Into Playoff Picture?
If the reports on Penix turn out to be true, Kirk Cousins will become the Falcons starter for the final seven games of the 2025 season. He’ll need to lead Atlanta to a record of 5-2 at absolute worst for them to have any chance of making the playoffs.
Cousins has thrown just 52 passes this season and is without a touchdown or interception so far. The veteran was benched in lieu of Penix last season after he had one of the worst seasons of his career.
His job will be even more difficult next week as star wide receiver Drake London will be out after suffering a PCL sprain at the end of the game against the Panthers. The full extent of London’s injury is not yet known, but he will definitely be out next week against New Orleans.
The only teams now below the Falcons in the NFC standings are the Washington Commanders, the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants.
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