Falcons announce starting QB for Week 3: Michael Penix gets call against Packers

Thursday night will mark Penix’s first game in 10 months

The Atlanta Falcons have announced that Michael Penix Jr. will be the team's starting quarterback when they face the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, has not played since he tore his ACL during a loss to the Panthers in Week 11 of the 2025 season. Penix underwent surgery last November and practiced in a limited capacity during the spring and for most of training camp. He was cleared to participate in 11-on-11 work during the final week of the preseason. "I think Mike's looked good," Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said of Penix last week. "He's been really going here for a few weeks now.

I didn't know Mike pre-injury very well, except from afar. But he looks sharp, moving well. I think he has confidence in it. Obviously, his arm talent is easily seen. But in terms of the lower-body movement and his ability to play quick and do those things, I think Mike's progressed really nicely." Penix was hoping to be ready for Week 1, but he informed Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski before the team's season opener that he wasn't where he wanted to be. He said that he had rushed back from knee injuries in the past and did not want to make that mistake again. "I want to be stronger,"