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• Falcons' Michael Penix: Surgery goes well

  14D ago • By RotoWire

  Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that Penix (knee) underwent full reconstructive surgery to address the partially torn ACL in his left knee on Tuesday and experienced no complications with the procedure, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Penix faces a nine-month recovery timetable as a result of the procedure. The 25-year-old quarterback has now undergone ACL reconstructive surgeries three times in his career, as he previously had procedures on his right knee in 2018 and 2020 while in college. He also suffered season-ending injuries to each shoulder in 2019 and 2021. Morris has said that the severe nature of Penix's injury will "100 percent" influence Atlanta to "make some different plans" at quarterback this offseason, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, though that could just as easily refer to the team prioritizing a reliable backup rather than bringing in actual competition for the starting role. Kirk Cousins will start the remainder of the season under center for the Falcons, but this offseason the team can exercise a potential 'out' for the final two season of his four-year, $180 million contract at the cost of a $35 million dead-cap hit. Atlanta doesn't currently hold any first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will limit the team's ability to maneuver in pursuit of a high-upside alternative at quarterback.

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• Falcons' Michael Penix: Surgery coming this week

  17D ago • By RotoWire

  Penix is scheduled to undergo full reconstructive ACL surgery on his left knee in Los Angeles during the upcoming week and is expected to face a nine-month recovery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. With Penix set for season-ending surgery, Kirk Cousins will take over as the Falcons' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game in New Orleans. Even though Penix's estimated nine-month recovery timeline would give him a chance to be ready to play by Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, head coach Raheem Morris acknowledged that Penix's medical history will likely prompt the team to make alternative plans at quarterback -- whether that's retaining Cousins or bringing aboard someone else -- this coming offseason as a safeguard. During his time in college, Penix previously underwent surgeries to repair the ACL in his right knee in 2018 and 2020, and he also had two other seasons end early due to joint injuries to each of his shoulders.

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• Falcons' Michael Penix: Needs procedure to repair ACL

  21D ago • By RotoWire

  The Falcons confirmed Wednesday that Penix sustained a partially torn ACL in his left knee during the team's Week 11 loss to Carolina, and he will require full reconstructive surgery to address the injury, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports. Atlanta officially placed Penix him on injured reserve. Penix will face, at a minimum, a nine-month recovery upon going under the knife. As a result, Penix is unlikely to be a full participant in the Falcons' offseason program, and his status for Week 1 of the 2026 campaign could also be in jeopardy. In addition to damaging his ACL, Penix also aggravated the pre-existing bone bruise in the knee. Even before going down with the injury Sunday, the 2024 first-round pick already had a checkered medical history, as he required surgeries to repair the ACL in his right knee in 2018 and 2020, and he also had college seasons end early in 2019 and 2021 due to shoulder injuries. Kirk Cousins will lead Atlanta under center for the remainder of the 2025 season, and the team will likely enter the offseason with additional incentive to secure a capable backup option behind Penix. The 25-year-old will finish his second professional campaign having completed 166 of 276 pass attempts (60.1 percent) for 1,982 yards (7.2 YPA), nine touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 70 yards and another score on 21 carries over his nine starts.

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• Falcons' Michael Penix: Lands on IR

  22D ago • By RotoWire

  The Falcons placed Penix (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Terrin Waack of the Falcons' official site reports. Atlanta is still evaluating Penix to determine the severity of the left knee injury he sustained in Sunday's 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers, but with his move to IR, the second-year quarterback will miss at least four games. Kirk Cousins is slated to take over as the Falcons' new starting signal-caller in Penix's absence. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously relayed that Penix aggravated an existing bone bruise and knee sprain while also suffering damage to the ACL in his left knee. During his college career, the 25-year-old underwent surgeries to address ACL tears in his right knee in 2018 and 2020, and he also suffered season-ending shoulder injuries in 2019 and 2021.

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• Falcons' Michael Penix: Could miss additional games

  23D ago • By RotoWire

  Penix (knee) is believed to have aggravated a previous knee injury during Sunday's 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers, and there is concern that he could miss additional time, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. Penix exited in the third quarter of Sunday's loss, and Kirk Cousins finished out the game in relief. Cousins filled in when Penix sat out Atlanta's 34-10 loss to the Dolphins due to a bone bruise in his knee Week 8. If Penix misses additional action as feared, Cousins would start Week 12 against the Saints. Penix is set for additional testing on his injury.

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