Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. offers injury update after worrisome revelation

The chances Michael Penix Jr. defeating Tua Tagovailoa in the Atlanta Falcons' QB competition took a hit on Tuesday when head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Penix would not be cleared for 11-on-11 work before the team's mandatory minicamp wraps up on Thursday. 

Later on Tuesday, Penix spoke with media members about whether or not he will be a full participant once training camp begins in late July. 

Michael Penix Jr. has "expectation" but no guarantee for training camp

"That's the expectation," Penix said about being cleared for training camp, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. "I know I go see my doctor before all that kicks off. So, it's really up to my doc."

Penix has spent the offseason recovering from the surgery he needed last fall to repair a partially torn ACL. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa has received a head start in learning a new offense being installed by a coaching staff that had nothing to do with the franchise's decision to draft Penix a couple of years ago. 

Thus far, Penix has won just four of 12 career regular-season starts. Additionally, the fact that he suffered two ACL tears before he was drafted understandably has some outsiders concerned that he will struggle to stay healthy as a full-time QB1. 

Michael Penix Jr., Falcons being smart about his future

"I felt confident with everything," Penix added about what he's been able to do this spring. "Sometimes the trainers, they stand to the side and tell me, 'No, you can't do it.' And I'm like, 'I feel like I can do it.' But I just listen to those guys and just, like I said, continue to just trust my body, trust my knee. If it was up to me, I'd go out there and do everything. I'd do 11-on-11 now, but that's obviously the smart thing, just understanding it's more than just my want to play. Obviously, I got to care about my body and my future as well."

Stefanski insisted on Tuesday that "we’re not giving out any jobs in June." That may be the case, but it would be silly for anybody to believe that Tagovailoa won't enter the summer leading what may ultimately become a competition in name only.