When the Atlanta Falcons take the field for their Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Will not be under center.
Penix suffered a knee injury in Week 11 that resulted in his placement on injured reserve, which means he's forced to miss at least the next four games.
However, the Falcons provided an injury update during the week that confirms he's going to be out a lot longer than that.
Will Michael Penix Jr. Return this season?
The Falcons have confirmed that Penix had surgery on his knee and will miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign because of a partially torn ACL.
"After further medical evaluation, it has been determined Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Will undergo season-ending surgery for a partially torn ACL," the team said in a statement.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Penix's recovery timeline is about nine months, which means he should be ready to go for the 2026 campaign.
This is the third torn ACL Penix has suffered between college and the pros, but the other two were to his right knee whereas this one is to his left knee.
"The guy's going to come back stronger for us," head coach Raheem Morris said of his quarterback. "This organization believes in him. His coaches believe in him. His guys believe in him, and he's going to come back strong for us."
With Penix sidelined for the rest of the season, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will get another shot to start after getting benched for Penix last season.
If Cousins can finish out the season strong, he would improve his stock and increase the chances he's traded in 2026.
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