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The Atlanta Falcons can’t catch a break right now. On top of being swept by the Carolina Panthers with a Week 11 loss at home, they will now be without their starting quarterback as well.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Falcons got a worrisome injury update on Michael Penix Jr.
“Michael Penix suffered season-ending ACL tears to his left knee in both 2018 and 2020 in college. He also missed a game this season in Week 8 after sustaining a bone bruise to that same knee in Week 7. And now this latest injury could sideline him for the rest of the 2025 season,” Schefter wrote on X.
ESPN sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025
Unfortunately, this is far from a surprise. The first-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft sustained multiple major injuries throughout the course of his long collegiate career.
That cast doubts about his durability, and it didn’t take long before he proved them right. Given his history, that’s not likely to change.
Penix has been fairly disappointing this season. Even when healthy, he hasn’t looked like the elite passer with outstanding arm talent he was in college. Also, the injury concerns have forced him to be more of a pocket quarterback, so he doesn’t bring much mobility to the table, either.
The Falcons will now turn back to veteran Kirk Cousins. The former starter hasn’t looked good in his limited appearances this season after getting benched last year.
Atlanta has failed to keep up with the Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. Despite many playmakers on offense, it looks like the Falcons will miss the playoffs again, especially with Penix now possibly out for the season.
