Overview
- The Falcons confirmed Michael Penix Jr. was not cleared to take 11‑on‑11 team reps during mandatory minicamp, and Tua Tagovailoa received the bulk of first‑team work.
- Penix said he expects to be cleared to fully practice by training camp but made clear the final decision rests with his doctor and the team medical staff.
- Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized the team will not name a starter in June and plans a side‑by‑side evaluation once Penix is medically cleared.
- Penix rehabbed surgery to repair a partially torn ACL he suffered last fall and has two prior ACL tears, facts that feed external concern about his long‑term durability.
- Tagovailoa’s early reps have let him learn the new offense and could give him a practical advantage for Week 1 while the late‑July training camp and medical clearance remain the next decisive checkpoints.