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The Atlanta Falcons announced that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL.
The team placed Penix on injured reserve Monday with a left knee injury while she underwent a process to determine the severity of her injury. After a second opinion, the Falcons opted for surgery.
Penix’s latest injury is the fifth season-ending injury he has suffered in eight seasons in college and the NFL. The 25-year-old tore his right ACL twice in college.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) leaves the field after overtime of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta on November 16, 2025. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
“The one thing we say about Michael is we know what it means to be battle-tested, and he’s already shown us that,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Penix during a news conference Wednesday.
“You know, the last injury was in (2021), I believe it was a shoulder. I think his last knee was in (2020) and he did nothing but come back stronger every chance he was given. And when you know, I think his famous line was, you know, check his EKG, and it’s no different now. Like the guy is going to come back stronger for us, you know, this organization believes in him, his coaches believe in him, his guys believe in him and he’s I’m going to come back strong for us.”
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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta on November 16, 2025. (Mike Stewart/AP Photo)
Penix let the team lose 30-27 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter. In his second season in the league, Penix completed just over 60% of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Falcons selected Penix 8th overall in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft, despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that same offseason. With Penix out, Cousins will be the team’s starting quarterback.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta on November 16, 2025. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)
Cousins, 37, has played three games this season, including once as a starter. He is 0-1 in his only start and has completed 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Cousins’ second start of the season will be when the Falcons face the New Orleans Saints (2-8) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
