Michael Penix Jr. is closing in on his first start of the 2026 season, with the Atlanta Falcons preparing for a Thursday night Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Penix could take over against Green Bay
Penix has practiced fully for a second consecutive week after recovering from his most recent ACL injury, which occurred a little more than 10 months ago. Atlanta nevertheless listed the third-year quarterback as unavailable again this week.
Cooper Rush received the first-team work in Friday’s practice and is set to make his second straight start when the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But Penix’s potential return against Green Bay would give Atlanta its first chance this season to put its former first-round pick back under center.
- Penix has been a full practice participant in each of the past two weeks.
- He remains out for Sunday’s game against Carolina.
- Rush, 32, will start against the Panthers for the second week in a row.
- Atlanta could activate Penix for its Thursday night game with the Packers.
Tagovailoa may also be available
Tua Tagovailoa is also nearing a return from an oblique injury suffered in practice before Atlanta’s Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had been on track to start that opener before the injury changed the club’s quarterback plans.
Tagovailoa is expected to practice this week and could be active against Green Bay as Penix’s backup. Atlanta is not expected to release or trade Tagovailoa despite speculation about his roster status.
The former Miami Dolphins quarterback joined the Falcons during the offseason on a veteran-minimum contract after Miami released him. Tagovailoa entered the league as a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Atlanta’s quarterback picture begins to clear
The 0-1 Falcons have dealt with unsettled quarterback circumstances throughout the offseason. Penix and Tagovailoa were expected to compete for the Week 1 starting job, but both entered the regular season with health concerns.
- Tagovailoa was slowed by a back issue early in training camp.
- Penix was not fully cleared for practice until late in the summer.
- Tagovailoa then sustained his oblique injury shortly before the opener.
If Penix and Tagovailoa are not ready for Thursday’s Packers game, Atlanta will have a longer recovery window before its next contest. The Falcons will play the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, Oct. 5, to finish Week 4.
With both quarterbacks nearing full health, Atlanta may finally be approaching the resolution of an offseason-long competition at the most important position on the roster.
