Packers Host Winless Falcons on Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field
The short version
- Packers (1-1) host Falcons (0-2) at Lambeau Field on Thursday night
- Michael Penix Jr. makes his first start since tearing his ACL in Week 11 last season
- Packers lose RT Zach Bako-Bewele for the season; WR Jayden Reed out with neck injury
- Falcons CB A.J. Terrell placed on injured reserve with a groin injury
- Christian Watson ranks seventh in the NFL with 19 targets through two games
Green Bay (1-1) welcomes Atlanta (0-2) in Week 3, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. set to make his first start since returning from a torn ACL.
The Green Bay Packers, sitting at 1-1, welcome the Atlanta Falcons, who are 0-2, to Lambeau Field on Thursday night. Green Bay fell 39-22 to Minnesota in its opener and then needed overtime to get past the New York Jets 20-17 on Sunday. Atlanta has been outscored badly through two weeks, losing 20-13 at Pittsburgh and then 34-3 at home to Carolina.
Atlanta will turn back to quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is making his season debut after tearing his left ACL in Week 11 last year. His return comes with starting cornerback A.J. Terrell heading to injured reserve because of a groin issue. The Falcons offense has converted third downs at just a 23.1% clip so far.
Injuries are also piling up for Green Bay. Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele is out for the season, and wide receiver Jayden Reed will miss significant time after hurting his neck against the Jets.
Wideout Christian Watson has been the one consistent piece in the Packers' passing game, drawing 19 targets through two weeks — seventh most in the league — including 11 against the Jets. He opened the year with six catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight end Kyle Pitts, who signed a three-year, $54 million deal in the offseason after a 88-catch, 928-yard All-Pro campaign, has managed only one reception for 15 yards so far while playing with backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Jack Strand.
