The Atlanta Falcons may finally be nearing the return of Michael Penix Jr. After missing the first two games of the 2026 NFL season while recovering from a knee injury, Penix could make his season debut Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers. The latest reports indicate the Falcons quarterback is nearing a return and has a legitimate chance to start in Week 3.
Penix could return against Packers
Penix has been working his way back from the ACL injury he suffered during Week 11 of the 2025 season. He underwent surgery and spent the offseason working through his rehabilitation before eventually being cleared for full-team work in August.
The third-year quarterback was a full participant in practice throughout Week 2, but Atlanta ultimately ruled him out for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Cooper Rush was named the starter for a second consecutive week.
Now, however, the timeline appears to be moving toward a potential return.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Penix is nearing a return and could make his 2026 debut Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Penix reportedly split first-team repetitions with Rush during the week and has impressed those who have watched him practice.
The Thursday night turnaround does present an interesting challenge, as Penix would be playing his first game of the season on a short week. Still, Week 3 has been viewed as a potential target for his return throughout the recovery process.
Falcons quarterback situation could finally change
Penix’s potential return would provide Atlanta with another significant development at quarterback. The Falcons entered the season with Penix and Tua Tagovailoa competing for the starting job, but injuries to both players disrupted those plans.
Tagovailoa has been dealing with an oblique injury, while Penix has been working his way back from his surgically repaired knee. Rush has consequently been asked to start the first two games of the season.
The Falcons are scheduled to travel to Green Bay for Thursday Night Football, giving Penix a chance to return less than a year after his knee injury.
There is still no guarantee that Penix will start. The Falcons will need to determine whether he has reached the necessary physical benchmarks and is ready to handle game contact. But after being ruled out for the first two weeks, the latest update represents a significant step toward finally seeing Penix back on an NFL field.
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