Atlanta Falcons, Michael Penix Jr., NFL
BREAKING: Atlanta Falcons: Reveal Starting Quarterback for Week 3 1
The (0-2) Atlanta Falcons play the (1-1) Green Bay Packers on the road at Lambeau Field for Thursday Night Football. One interesting storyline surrounding the Week 3 contest is who will start at quarterback. Cooper Rush started the first two games because the effective starter Tua Tagovailoa was out with a back injury. However, Rush was benched in the third quarter in favor of Bloomer, Wisconsin native and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
In addition, Michael Penix Jr. missed the first two games while recovering from a partial ACL tear sustained in November. This was Penix’s third ACL tear and the first sustained to his left knee. He was cleared for full-team, 11-on-11 drills on August 22 but wanted to pass a physical hurdle before he could play.
“I’m close. I’m close,” Penix said last Wednesday, via Will McFadden of the team’s website. “I know I’ve been saying that, but there’s just a couple of technical things that I want to hit, some goals that I have that I want to achieve before I do stuff out on that field. But I do feel really good, and we’re taking strides each and every day.
“I would say more physical goals,” Penix said. “As far as mental, it ain’t even mental. Mentally, I want to go play. But I’m not going to go out there if I don’t feel where I need to be physically.”
The Atlanta Falcons reveal the starting quarterback for Week 3
Atlanta Falcons, Kevin Stefanski, NFLAtlanta Falcons, Kevin Stefanski, NFL
Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On X, the Falcons announced they have named Michael Penix Jr. the starting quarterback against the Packers on Thursday Night Football. As a result, Penix will make his regular-season debut in hopes of becoming the team’s starting quarterback of the future. In addition, Atlanta hopes to reach the opponent’s red zone after failing to do so in its first 25 drives of the first two games.
Michael Penix Jr. has been named starting quarterback for Thursday’s gamehttps://t.co/EyBzaBvKii pic.twitter.com/320iqTJ4hN
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 21, 2026
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Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmet during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesOct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmet during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmet during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images