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Falcons’ Worst Michael Penix Jr. Nightmare Could Come True After Offensive Line Injuries

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 5:02 PM ET

Protecting first-year starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is imperative to any postseason hopes the Atlanta Falcons might have this season.

Unfortunately for Penix, he and the Falcons received a double dose of bad news on Wednesday. Starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the field at practice with what the Falcons suggested was a lower left leg injury; the team also announced that McGary, a mainstay in the Falcons’ lineup since debuting in 2019, will undergo an MRI.

Then came news that Storm Norton, a veteran backup in his third season with the Falcons, will miss six to eight weeks after having ankle surgery. Norton, who played all 17 games last year and started one, would have likely moved into McGary’s starting role if the latter needed to miss time.

Those injuries mean Brandon Parker, a 2018 Las Vegas Raiders third-round pick, could receive increased playing time. One problem: Parker has played only five games since the start of 2022.

It’s hard not to feel concerned for Penix, especially if McGary’s injury is serious or lingers. Lack of protection can easily make a quarterback extremely susceptible to injury, as former Indianapolis Colts star Andrew Luck will attest to. Ex-Houston Texans No. 1 pick David Carr remains a cautionary tale after opponents sacked him an NFL-record 76 times as a rookie.

Teams sacked Carr on a staggering 10.61% of plays from 2004-06, taking him to the ground 158 times in 48 games. He started four games for the Carolina Panthers in 2007 before spending the rest of his career as a backup.

None of this is to say Penix is guaranteed such a fate. It’s also worth noting the Falcons only allowed 32 sacks last year, tying them for eighth-best leaguewide. Compare that to the Chicago Bears, who let Caleb Williams suffer 68 sacks in his 17 starts. The fact that Williams managed to escape serious injury when 10.79% of his plays ended in a sack is nothing short of miraculous.

Either way, the Falcons must do everything they can to keep Penix on his feet. Otherwise, they’re headed right toward an eighth straight losing season — and, potentially, a fourth coach in six years.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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