The Atlanta Falcons may have seen the proverbial writing on the wall when the team chose to retain Kirk Cousins, and now they will need him more than ever. Following Michael Penix being injured on Sunday, the team now fears he suffered a season-ending injury.
Penix was tackled during a sack, and his knee bent awkwardly, leading to him being pulled from the game. Cousins would come in as relief.
Following the game, it was revealed that Penix may have reaggravated the same knee injury that sidelined him earlier in the season. Now, things have become far worse.
Per multiple reports, it is believed that Penix may have suffered a season-ending knee injury. He will receive a second opinion, but it appears that the current prognosis is not good for the young signal caller.
Penix has played some good football in 2025, picking up 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Despite the team’s up-and-down struggles, the choice to move forward with him as the franchise option has been proven.
Sadly, Penix has dealt with a knee injury that has seemingly gotten worse in 2025, and will now presumably sideline him for the remainder of the season. Cousins will reassume the starting role and help pull the Falcons out of their current 3-7 record.
Atlanta began to show flashes of brilliance, especially with their defense putting together multiple takeaways. After posting a 3-2 record in their first five games, the team has since lost five straight.
Losing Penix will be a tough hit for the offense, but Cousins is plenty capable veteran. There were multiple reports of him being tied to trades during the 2025 NFL Draft and ahead of the trade deadline. None of that materialized, and now the Falcons will look to their former starter to stop the bleeding amid this five-game losing streak.
Cousins only threw for 48 yards, and the team was not able to beat the Carolina Panthers. With seven losses already, there is little chance the Falcons can make the playoffs.
They are not out of the running, but teams that drop below 10-7 typically have a slim chance to make the postseason. Penix being out for the year also impacts their chances. The hope for the Falcons is that he can recover with plenty of time ahead of the start of the 2026 training camp.
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