Falcons turn back to Michael Penix Jr. for Week 3 matchup with Packers
The short version
- Michael Penix Jr. returns from an ACL injury to start Week 3 against the Packers
- Atlanta is 0-2 with the NFL's worst point differential (minus-38) and last-ranked scoring offense
- Cooper Rush threw a league-leading four interceptions before being benched; Jack Strand also struggled
- Penix played nine games last season, throwing for 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns
- Tua Tagovailoa has been out since injuring his oblique just before the season
The winless Falcons get their former first-round pick back from injury as they try to recover from a rough opening stretch.
The Atlanta Falcons are set to have Michael Penix Jr. back at quarterback for their Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Yahoo Sports. Penix has been recovering from an ACL injury and has not played yet this season.
Atlanta entered the season planning to start Tua Tagovailoa, but he injured his oblique shortly before the regular season began and has missed the first two weeks. Cooper Rush started in his place but struggled and was benched during the team's second loss. Jack Strand took over, though his play was also uneven.
The Falcons sit at 0-2 after a 34-3 defeat and own the NFL's worst point differential at minus-38. Rush leads the league with four interceptions, and he and Strand have combined for just 247 passing yards. Atlanta also ranks last in scoring at eight points per game.
Penix's own track record raises questions. As a rookie, he threw for 775 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions across five appearances, three of them starts. Last season he passed for 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns but appeared in only nine games.
Durability is a continuing concern for the quarterback, who has torn his ACL three times. The report notes it would not be surprising if Tagovailoa eventually gets the starting job back if Penix's availability becomes an issue again.
