Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-22 · by Charles Odum The Associated Press
Michael Penix Jr., who recently returned from an ACL injury, will start as quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons against Green Bay on Thursday night. Coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision follows Penix’s successful workout last Saturday where his knee showed no negative reactions despite intense activity. In contrast, interim starter Cooper Rush struggled in Sunday’s game against Carolina, throwing two interceptions and failing to lead the team effectively.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Michael Penix Jr., who suffered a torn ACL in November 2025, was named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons against the Green Bay Packers on September 24, just one week after the Falcons' brutal 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons hope that Penix's return will provide a spark to an offense that failed to reach the red zone in their first two games of the season. Penix worked hard during his recovery and is set to play for the first time since November 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa will back up Penix after missing the first two regular-season games due to an oblique injury. The game, which starts at 8:15 p.m. ET, is streamed exclusively on Prime Video. Despite being winless (0-2), the Falcons aim for their first victory of the season against a Packers team that comes into this home opener with a record of 1-1 following an overtime win over the New York Jets. The game will be played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Written for “Michael Penix Jr Returns Falcons vs P…” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 18 other(s) covering the same event.
Michael Penix Jr. said Tuesday he finally began feeling healthy enough to play in a game late last week and had his rising confidence confirmed when his surgically repaired left knee reacted well to a strenuous workout on Saturday.
asserted
knee → say → Saturday
The Falcons announced on Monday that Penix will start on Thursday night at Green Bay.
asserted
Penix → announce → Bay
The decision came one day after Cooper Rush again struggled as the fill-in starter in Sunday’s 34-3 loss to NFC South rival Carolina.
asserted
Rush → come → Carolina
“I’m very excited, you know, obviously excited to be able to be out there,” Penix said following Tuesday’s practice.
asserted
Penix → ’m → practice
“You know, I’m going to war with my brothers, so it’s very exciting when you make the final decision.”
asserted
you → know → decision
When asked if he had been targeting the Week 3 game at Green Bay, Penix said “being healthy” was his only target.
asserted
being → ask → Bay
Penix said he had still been experiencing some soreness in the knee until last week.
asserted
he → say → week
He said he spoke with coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday.
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he → say → Saturday
The conversation followed what Penix described as “a big workout” after he had been ruled out of the game against Carolina.
asserted
he → follow → Carolina
Penix said Saturday’s workout was designed “just to see how my knee reacted from a big workout and it was good.
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it → say → workout
So that’s really kind of what helped me with that decision, my workout on Saturday, and just pushing to the limit and seeing what I can take.”
asserted
I → ’ → what
Penix said when he felt no soreness on Sunday, he spoke with Stefanski to talk about how his knee had felt better through the week.
asserted
knee → say → week
Penix said he decided then he would be ready to play against the Packers but spoke with Stefanski again on Monday “just to obviously solidify that.”
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he → say → that
Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said Tuesday that Penix has “looked sharp without any limitations” in practice.
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Penix → say → practice
“He’s moved in the pocket.
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He → move → pocket
He’s gotten outside of the pocket.”
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He → get → pocket
He completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
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He → complete → touchdowns
Rush and rookie Jack Strand have combined to throw five interceptions with only one touchdown in two games.
asserted
Rush → combine → games
Penix, Tua Tagovailoa, Rush and Strand practiced on Tuesday.
asserted
Penix → practice → Tuesday
Tagovailoa missed the first two games after suffering an oblique injury before Atlanta’s 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the season.
asserted
Tagovailoa → miss → season
The Falcons (0-2) have not announced who will be Penix’s backup at Green Bay.
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who → announce → Bay
Rush struggled with accuracy and arm strength against Carolina.
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Rush → struggle → Carolina
Rees said arm strength shouldn’t be an issue for the left-handed Penix.
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strength → say → Penix
The Falcons are looking to better utilize wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, who have a combined seven receptions through two games.
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who → look → games
“There’s not a ton of guys out there with that arm talent,” said Rees of Penix.
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Rees → ’ → Penix
Penix will be making his first start since a 30-27 overtime loss to Carolina on Nov. 16, 2025.
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Penix → make → Nov.
Penix tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the third quarter.
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Penix → tear → quarter
He previously had two ACL injuries to his right knee and was determined to make sure he was fully recovered before returning this season.
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he → have → knee
“Whenever I felt like I can go out there, like I said, get out of all that soreness and get stronger each and every day, that’s what it was always about,” Penix said.
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Penix → feel → what
“So once I felt healthy, it felt like I was ready to go.”
asserted
I → feel → ?
Cornerback A.J. Terrell will miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.
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Terrell → miss → injury
Terrell suffered the injury in the first quarter against Carolina.
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Terrell → suffer → Carolina
C.J. Henderson played behind Terrell and is the probable starter at Green Bay.
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Henderson → play → Bay
Terrell will be eligible to return in Week 7 against San Francisco.
asserted
Terrell → return → Francisco
Defensive lineman Zach Harrison was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move.
asserted
Harrison → sign → move
Center James Brockermeyer was released from the practice squad and offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal was signed to the practice squad.
asserted
Sorsdal → release → squad
The Aporia
