Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws the ball in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons get concerning Michael Penix Jr. update after Week 11 loss

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 9:31 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons are having an abysmal season.

A 30-27 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday dropped the Falcons to 3-7 and all but ended their postseason chances. Even worse than the loss, though, was the injury to starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and the most recent update certainly isn't favorable.

Growing concern around Michael Penix Jr.

According to NFL insider Ian Rappoport, the belief is that Penix reaggravated a knee injury that he suffered earlier this season. That same injury caused Penix to miss Atlanta's Week 8 loss against the Miami Dolphins.

The concern is that Penix will be forced to miss more time down the stretch in games that will all be must-wins for the Falcons.

#Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr is believed to have aggravated the same knee injury as earlier in the season, per me and @TomPelissero.

That bone bruise in the same knee kept him out one game. More tests coming, but there is concern he’ll miss some time. pic.twitter.com/1fMpX7MxIP
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2025

Next man up

If Penix indeed misses time, Atlanta will turn to its veteran backup, Kirk Cousins. Cousins finished Sunday's loss against the Panthers, and he would be in line to start in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers.

With no third quarterback on its current 53-man roster, Atlanta would have to search around free agency or the practice squads of other teams for a backup to Cousins for next week.

At 3-7 with seven games remaining, the Falcons would almost certainly have to rattle off seven straight wins down the stretch to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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