The Atlanta Falcons’ future at quarterback is up in the air as the result of the latest injury news for the team. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported that Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered in the 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.

It’s believed that Penix has damage to his ACL and is set to undergo further testing. According to Atlanta’s statement, they’ll place Penix on injured reserve, which will sideline him a minimum of four games, but as sources told Schefter, the severity of the injury appears season-ending.

Veteran Kirk Cousins will resume the reins at starting quarterback for the season after taking over for Penix during the third quarter in Sunday's loss. The Falcons were leading 21-16 when Penix went down on a tackle by Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig after he threw an incomplete pass.

Penix went 13-of-16 for 175 yards, with neither quarterback throwing a touchdown. Cousins went 6-of-14 for 48 yards. Cousins is the current answer, but with Penix’s injury history, the team must consider their next move under center.

This season, Penix had a bone bruise on his left knee that kept him out against the San Francisco 49ers. He suffered four season-ending injuries in college, including two torn ACLs in 2018 and 2020. This could potentially be a third ACL surgery for Penix, and it’s unclear what his viability as a starter will be post-rehab.

This season, Penix completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards and 11 touchdowns with three interceptions. The team is 3-7 to show for it. After spending the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Penix, the investment hasn’t seen many dividends. That’s on top of a $100 million guaranteed contract invested in Cousins – just weeks before the draft.

That capital at least pays off in the short term with a proven veteran under center. He struggled as the team’s starter last season and was eventually replaced by Penix in Week 19 after throwing nine interceptions in five games.

Penix just hasn’t elevated it much after showing initial promise as a rookie. Their offense is averaging 332.5 total yards per game, good for No. 16 in the NFL. And thanks to the team’s aggression in the 2025 draft, they have no ability to course correct via the first round next year.

The Los Angeles Rams are the holders of Atlanta’s first round pick, which currently is No. 8 overall, due to a trade. That’s not to say the team should throw in the towel on Penix Jr., but there’s certainly cause for concern with a third ACL injury and a potential third surgery that some just don’t return to form from thereafter.