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Mark Raimondi
atlanta falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.Suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to carolina panthersSources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sources told Schefter that Penix would seek a second opinion.
experienced cancer cousin Finally replaced Penix on Sunday 30-27 Overtime loss at home and Penix will take over as the Falcons’ starting quarterback with him sidelined. The loss dropped the Falcons to 3-7.
Penix was 13 of 16 for 175 yards before being hit on an incomplete pass with 5:22 left in the third quarter. Penix tried to get up but then hit the turf and took off his helmet.
Penix has suffered his second knee injury this season. He had a bone bruise in his left knee that kept him out of the game against the Falcons san francisco 49ers In week 7.
In college, Penix suffered four season-ending injuries, including torn ACLs in 2018 and 2020.
Penix has completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Cousins was 6 of 14 for 48 yards after replacing Penix.
The Falcons signed Cousins to a $100 million guaranteed contract through 2024, but then selected Penix with the No. 8 pick in the draft a few weeks later. Atlanta believed it was securing its present and future at quarterback.
Cousins was the starter last season before a five-game stretch in which he threw nine interceptions. Penix took over in Week 16 and the Falcons said he would be the starting forward. The expectation was that the Falcons would trade Cousins or release him, but despite the hefty price tag the organization was comfortable with him as a backup.
