Michael Penix Jr. injury update: Key news emerges on Falcons QB vs. Dolphins

Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. likely won’t start Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, paving the way for veteran Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it is “highly likely” Cousins gets the nod after Penix Jr. suffered a bone bruise in his left knee against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend.

Towards the end of the Falcons’ 20-10 loss to the 49ers, Penix Jr. took low hits on multiple plays, and he was seen being taken to the medical tent for evaluation. After the game, Raheem Morris told reporters about how his starting QB was feeling.

“Obviously, we’ve got to let him go get evaluated,” Morris said.  “He gave me the thumbs up on the sideline when we were asking him, so he was OK to finish. We’ll see where he is tomorrow.”

Now that Penix Jr. is unlikely to play, Cousins will more than likely be the starting QB. Cousins started 14 of the Falcons’ 17 games last year and completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Penix had a challenging time against the 49ers, completing 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions with a 83.3 passer rating. Cousins was warming up on the sideline after Penix suffered the injury. However, Penix didn’t miss any time and finished the game.

The Falcons made Penix the starting QB late in the 2024 season. In nine career games as a starter, the former Washington star has completed 60 precent of his passes for 2,184 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 83 passer rating and 4-5 record.

On3 recently spoke to Cousins about how Penix has looked this year. He spoke with Brian Jones.

“We’re in the quarterback room together every day, so there’s always discussion and we’re always asking each other questions and just trying to learn, and that quarterback room is always a working force together for one another,” Cousins told On3 earlier in the season. “I think Michael’s done an outstanding job, even going back to last year, of getting caught up to speed and being ready to go. I think he did well in his role last year, and I think he’s doing well to start this season, and he’s just going to keep building as we move forward.”