Insider shares big update on Michael Penix Jr. after 'SNF' loss

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Insider shares big update on Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. after 'SNF' loss to Ravens

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 12, 2026 4:34 PM ET

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (ribs) was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday. The NFC South franchise reportedly heard the news it wanted.

Michael Penix Jr. reportedly avoided a major injury

On Monday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the rib injury Penix suffered in the fourth quarter of a 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens on "Sunday Night Football" isn't "considered serious." Schefter added the Falcons (2-3) still plan to see how he fares in practice before determining his status for a Week 6 home game against the Chicago Bears (3-2). The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

The Falcons must be careful with Penix, who has an extensive injury history. The third-year passer suffered a partial ACL tear last season and battled multiple knee and shoulder issues during his college career with the Indiana Hoosiers and Washington Huskies.

Against Baltimore, Penix appeared to suffer another injury that would keep him out for multiple games. Before overtime, the QB began warming up but went to the bench after he felt pain. Backup QB Tua Tagovailoa then replaced him and threw a game-sealing interception to Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.

Michael Penix’s rib injury is not considered serious, per sources. Penix might be able to return for Sunday’s game vs. the Bears, but the team wants to be cautious and see him practice this week before it knows whether he will be able to play in Week 6.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2026

Penix admitted postgame that he was "frustrated" to be on the sideline while watching Tagovailoa launch the interception. Despite being sidelined during that play, the QB doesn't expect to remain there for the rest of the season.

KYLE HAMILTON PICKS IT OFF! @RAVENS WIN! pic.twitter.com/CbkK3CiuUN
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2026

"Knowing me, I'm going to be ready to go next week because I sat out enough in my career, but I'm going to do everything I can in the training room, make sure I get back to where I want to be," he said.

The Falcons hope he does. Starting Tagovailoa —who went 6-8 in 14 starts for the Miami Dolphins in 2025 — could hamper their offense, which was beginning to take off with Penix in the lineup.

Penix has started three games for the Falcons, going 2-1. During this stretch, Atlanta has averaged 34.3 points per game and 251 passing yards per game, both above league average.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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