Overview
- The Falcons announced on Monday that Michael Penix Jr. will start Thursday night at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
- Penix is making his first regular‑season start since tearing the ACL in his left knee in November 2025 and has had multiple prior ACL surgeries.
- Cooper Rush started the first two games and was benched after turnovers while rookie Jack Strand also struggled, leaving Atlanta 0-2 with an offense that has not reached the red zone in two games.
- Penix was listed as a full participant on Monday’s practice report and will debut on a short week, so immediate expectations focus on limiting turnovers and getting the ball to playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
- How Penix performs will affect whether the Falcons stick with him, delay Tua Tagovailoa’s return while he recovers from an oblique injury, and influence long‑term evaluations of Penix’s durability and role with the franchise.