Story perspectives

Penix Targets Week 1 Start After Third ACL Tear

5/20/2026

Summary

Penix Targets Start

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. aims to start Week 1 after ACL surgery.
He resumed throwing in mid-March, runs 7-on-7 drills but not 11-on-11, and has no live-play timetable.
He suffered his third ACL tear in a loss to the Carolina Panthers last November after two college tears.
After the Falcons signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Penix completed 2-of-5 in a 7-on-7 drill and said the competition does not affect him.

Summary

Falcons Rotate QBs

The Falcons entered the OTA phase, allowing 11-on-11 drills this week.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the quarterback competition will be intentionally structured, with each starter swapping periods.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is designing a daily rotation that mixes quarterbacks in different spots each drill to ready them for the regular season.
Penix remains limited to individual and 7-on-7 work, keeping him out of full-team drills at next month’s mandatory minicamp.

Summary

Penix Preps

Michael Penix Jr. posted 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions and a 60.1% completion rate before his third ACL tear in Week 11 of his 2025 rookie season.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said the quarterbacks will share repetitions in drills except those for Penix’s injury recovery, rotating periods daily.
Penix stressed he is “running his own race” and will not let the competition with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa alter his Week 1 preparation.

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Penix Targets Start

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. aims to start Week 1 after ACL surgery.
He resumed throwing in mid-March, runs 7-on-7 drills but not 11-on-11, and has no live-play timetable.
He suffered his third ACL tear in a loss to the Carolina Panthers last November after two college tears.
After the Falcons signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Penix completed 2-of-5 in a 7-on-7 drill and said the competition does not affect him.

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