Michael Penix Jr. has started every game for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2025 NFL season so far. This will change in Week 12 after he suffered a knee injury last week. He has not only been ruled out for this coming game, but the quarterback is reportedly set for a lengthy recovery process.
Michael Penix Jr. Receives Brutal Injury Update
Penix was forced to leave the Falcons’ game against the Carolina Panthers last week with a knee injury. The diagnosis ended up being a devastating one after the team announced that he has a partially torn ACL. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that this will require surgery and officially end his 2025 season.
“Falcons QB Michael Penix is undergoing season-ending knee surgery,” reported Schefter.
Falcons QB Michael Penix is undergoing season-ending knee surgery. pic.twitter.com/FNLsx660s9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2025
His timeline for recovery could potentially go beyond that as well, with a lengthy road likely ahead of him. NFL insider Ian Rapoport speculated how long he could be out for after having the surgery.
“Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr does, in fact, need surgery to repair his ACL, with 9 months of recovery, at least, coming,” shared Rapoport.
#Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr does, in fact, need surgery to repair his ACL, with 9 months of recovery, at least, coming.
He’s sought the opinion of experts, including from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Penix has an ACL sprain, but full reconstruction is needed. pic.twitter.com/rdz34X1eAh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2025
If Rapoport’s estimation is accurate, that he will need at least nine months of recovery before returning to the football field, this means that he is in danger of missing the start of the 2026 season as well. This is obviously brutal news for the Falcons, who have been counting on him to be their franchise quarterback.
He has struggled a bit this year, placing 26th on PFSN’s Impact Rankings for the season so far, but inconsistencies are common for any quarterback in their first campaign as a full-time starter. The optimism he demonstrated included three weekly finishes among the top ten quarterbacks.
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The Falcons decided to turn to Penix late last season, following their shocking decision to draft him in the first round anyway. They had already signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency, but the veteran lasted less than a full season in the role, and the franchise essentially drafted his replacement before he ever played his first game for them.
Cousins will now get an opportunity to potentially show that he’s the star quarterback they thought they were signing during last offseason. He has previous success in leading the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders to the playoffs, so maybe he can turn things around for the 3-7 Falcons. His first start this year will come in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints.
