The Atlanta Falcons expect quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to be available Thursday night when they visit the Green Bay Packers, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter said Monday.
“I think the the Falcons are gonna try and get Michael Penix back on the field Thursday night in Green Bay.. They expect Penix to be available,” Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
The comments came one day after Atlanta’s 34-3 home loss to the Carolina Panthers dropped the Falcons to 0-2. Cooper Rush started both games while Penix recovered from a partial tear of the ACL in his left knee suffered Nov. 16, 2025, against the same Panthers.
Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has not played this season. He has been a full participant in practice for two weeks and split first-team reps last week in what sources described as preparation for the short week.
The 26-year-old left-hander is Atlanta’s preferred starter. In 14 career games and 12 starts, he has completed 227 of 381 passes for 2,757 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
A return Thursday would come on a four-day turnaround after the Falcons were held without an offensive touchdown and failed to run a single red-zone play through two games. Atlanta has scored 16 points, averaging 8.0 per game, ranking 31st in the NFL.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski, in his first season after leaving the Cleveland Browns, declined Monday to name a starter. He said he had a “decent idea” but wanted to speak with players first.
“I will let you guys know. I’ll give you an update when I’ve been able to talk to the players & work through it,” Stefanski said.
Rush completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble Sunday before being replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Strand finished 8 of 15 for 59 yards and threw a pick-six on his first NFL pass.
Tua Tagovailoa, signed in the offseason after his release by the Miami Dolphins, is also progressing from an oblique injury and could be active Thursday. Sources said the Falcons do not plan to move on from Tagovailoa even if they have four healthy quarterbacks.
Penix has undergone three ACL reconstructions in his career, two during his time at Indiana. He told reporters last week he was “close” but would keep specific goals private with the training staff.
The Packers are 1-1 after a 20-17 overtime win at the New York Jets on Sunday. They host the Falcons at Lambeau Field in a Thursday Night Football matchup on Amazon Prime Video.
If Penix or Tagovailoa cannot play Thursday, Atlanta’s next game is not until Monday, Oct. 5, at New Orleans. That extra time would give both quarterbacks additional rest.
Stefanski said the offense has not been good enough through two weeks. The Falcons have talented skill players in running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, but the unit has yet to find rhythm without its projected starter.
Penix’s potential return would mark his 2026 debut more than 10 months after the latest knee injury. Team sources have described his practice work as impressive and said his dual-threat skill set could add a new dimension to the offense.
The Falcons open a stretch of three consecutive prime-time games, followed by the Saints on Monday night and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night in Week 5.
Whether Penix takes the first snap Thursday remains unofficial until Stefanski announces a decision after further evaluation this week.
