The Atlanta Falcons were without starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. this past Sunday after being held out due to injury. The team’s offense struggled to score points and consistently move the ball down without their starter, resulting in a 34-10 Week 8 loss to the now 2-6 Miami Dolphins.
Without Penix on the field, many are beginning to divert their attention to when Penix might return to the field.
What is the status of Michael Penix Jr.?
The Atlanta Falcons’ beat writer, Terrin Waack, reported that Penix is day-to-day with a bone bruise in his left knee that held him out of the team’s Week 8 loss.
Penix was limited in practice on Thursday, and he is listed as questionable for Week 9. While the Falcons quarterback has had a long history of season-ending injuries, this one doesn’t seem to cause nearly as much concern.
Penix suffered the injury in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but still managed to finish the game. Last week, he remained limited in practice all week and was listed as questionable for their game against the Dolphins.
Penix was ultimately ruled out, allowing Kirk Cousins to step into the starting role. Cousins and the offense struggled mightily in his return to the field, going 21-for-31 on passing for 173 yards without recording a passing touchdown.
Penix is clearly the better option over Cousins at their points in their careers. However, according to PFSN’s Quarterback Impact (QBi) metrics, Penix has been somewhat below average so far this season. He holds an Impact Score of 70.2, which comes out to a C- grade and ranks 25th among 37 eligible quarterbacks.
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Furthermore, Penix ranks towards the bottom of the league in completion percentage and passing touchdowns with a 61% clip and five touchdown passes, respectively. His redeeming factor is the offense’s high conversion rates on third down.
Penix has a 40.4% third-down conversion rate, which ranks 13th, in the upper third of the league. He has also shown flashes of excellence in his performance, particularly in the team’s wins against the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders.
Head Coach Raheem Morris has yet to confirm whether Penix will return, but he is likely to start, given his “day-to-day” status. In the unlikely event Penix doesn’t play, expect Cousins to have another go at the offense in the team’s Week 9 matchup against the 6-2 New England Patriots.
