Falcons QB Penix Faces Potential Season-Ending Knee Injury

On November 17, 2025, the Atlanta Falcons faced a significant setback as their second-year starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., suffered a concerning knee injury during Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Multiple reports indicate that Penix's injury could potentially be season-ending, and the player plans to seek a second opinion on the initial diagnosis.

Penix, who has a history of knee issues dating back to his college days, left the game in the third quarter after being injured by a blitzing defender. This latest setback continues a troubling trend for the young quarterback, who has already missed one game this season due to a bone bruise.

In Penix's absence, the Falcons will turn to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who finished Sunday's game after the injury. Cousins, who signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the team in 2024, started 14 games for the Falcons last year before being benched in favor of Penix.

The Falcons also suffered another injury blow, as wide receiver Drake London is expected to miss "multiple games" due to a knee injury sustained in the same game against the Panthers.

As the Falcons prepare for the remainder of the season, the focus will be on Cousins' performance and the team's ability to overcome the loss of their starting quarterback. The organization will be hoping for a positive outcome from Penix's second opinion, but the initial reports suggest a challenging road ahead for the young signal-caller and the Falcons' playoff aspirations.