Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr will return from his ACL injury and make his first start in Week 3 vs. the Packers on Thursday Night Football. The Falcons could use Penix, as they rank dead last in the NFL in team passing yards through two games with Cooper Rush forced into action (as well as a quarter of Jack Strand).
Drake London and Kyle Pitts owners rejoice. While Penix had a mixed 2025 season, he did rank No. 14 in Adjusted Yards Per Attempt (7.01) so the Falcons will be able to push the ball down the field and open up the playbook. It is uncertain how long Penix’s leash will be after Tua Tagovailoa returns from his ankle injury, but Tua was estimated as a limited participant in today’s walk-through practice.
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After a disastrous three quarters including two interceptions and a lost fumble, the Falcons have seen enough of Cooper Rush, and are turning to rookie UDFA Jack Strand. Strand will have his hands full as he tries to get something going against a stingy Panthers defense.
Moving forward, Michael Penix is reportedly nearing a return and could be back in the lineup as soon as the Falcons’ Week 3 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, no official timeline has been given for Tua Tagovailoa’s return.
With Kevin Stefanski keeping cards close to his chest on Monday, Wednesday’s practice participation report and media session will definitely be the spot to watch for any shifts in Michael Penix Jr.‘s designation or comfort level.
Given that he logged full practices last week but is working through that final mental or physical hurdle with the knee, it is difficult to expect Penix to be under center for Atlanta’s Week 2 match-up vs. Carolina. Drake London and Kyle Pitts will likely have to wait one more week to be unlocked.
Tua Tagovailoa exited team drills due to an oblique issue after grabbing his back. Coming off a 2025 campaign where he posted a 67.7-percent completion rate and 12.6 fantasy points per game, this injury puts his Week 1 status in jeopardy.
Cooper Rush absorbed all first-team reps afterward, locking Tua Tagovailoa into a questionable status for Week 1. In case you needed another reason to run away from Tua, now you have it. The larger question remains: Will all of this Falcons QB tumult affect Drake London?
The Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starter over Michael Penix Jr. against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Penix has been cleared to play, but he is not yet ready to start NFL games after tearing his ACL last November. Penix will be inactive, with Cooper Rush dressing as the backup QB.
Tagovailoa posted a 67.7% completion rate, 6.9 yards per attempt, and a mere 12.6 fantasy points per game in 2025. He is a low-end streaming QB2 for Week 1. Once fully ramped up and active, Penix will be a mid-tier QB2 with significantly more long-term appeal than Tagovailoa. Monitor this situation as Penix is PlayerProfiler’s QB33 for fantasy football dynasty leagues.
The Atlanta Falcons will keep four quarterbacks on their initial 53 man roster. Former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and QB Michael Penix Jr. continue to compete for ATL QB1 with only one week to go until the 2026 season opener.
Penix, who is coming off an ACL injury, was cleared for 11 on 11 during the last week of ATL’s last preseason game. He seems to be the preferred option over veteran QB Tua Tagovailoa. The Falcons were expected to round out their QB room with former Cowboy QB Cooper Rush until Tagovailoa was held out of practice with back tightness early in camp. That opened the door for undrafted rookie Jack Strand to impress, as GM Ian Cunningham said Strand did an “admirable” job throughout camp.
If the Falcons decide they are confident in the health of Penix and his 13.7 fantasy points per game from 2025 and name him the starter over Tagovailoa (12.6FPPG in 2025), they would likely cut Rush or Strand and stick with 3 QBs.
~Justin Teck
