ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are confronting familiar uncertainty at quarterback after starter Michael Penix Jr. suffered a rib injury during a 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski offered no immediate medical update on Penix during his Monday press briefing, stating that the team would evaluate the quarterback’s condition over several days before determining whether he can play Sunday against the Chicago Bears, the Associated Press reported.
“I can answer that better Wednesday, just with any type of injury,” Stefanski said, according to the AP. “I always want to see how the guys respond over a couple days before I can give you a good answer there.”
The setback dropped Atlanta to 2-3 on the season as the franchise seeks its first winning campaign since 2017. Penix sustained the injury on the final drive of regulation when he was hit by Baltimore linebacker Tavius Robinson, causing a fumble that Atlanta recovered, Huskies Wire reported. Penix briefly returned for one snap before the Falcons punted to close regulation.
Late collapse and quarterback shuffle
Penix had hoped to re-enter the contest in the extra period, but he told reporters the discomfort increased while he rested during Baltimore’s opening drive, the AP reported. Baltimore backup quarterback Tyler Huntley capped that sequence with a touchdown after leading a game-tying drive and two-point conversion in the final minute of regulation.
With Penix sidelined, Tua Tagovailoa entered the game at the 2:50 mark of overtime. On his second snap, Tagovailoa threw an interception to Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, sealing Baltimore’s victory, Huskies Wire reported. The turnover marked an NFL record fourth quarterback to throw an interception for Atlanta through five games this season, joining Penix, Cooper Rush and Jack Strand, according to the AP.
Before the injury, Penix overcame an 0-for-4 start to complete 19 of 32 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown, the AP reported. He had previously led Atlanta to back-to-back road victories against Green Bay and New Orleans after missing the first two weeks while completing rehabilitation from a torn left ACL.
“See, knowing me, I’m going to be ready to go next week because I’ve sat out enough in my career,” Penix said after the game, per the AP. “Obviously, my health is very, very serious. I take that very serious. So that’s always going to come first. But I will work my tail off to make sure I’m back out there on that field.”
Defensive strain and running game troubles
Beyond the quarterback room, Atlanta dealt with breakdowns along the offensive line and in the secondary. Offensive tackles Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom conceded seven of the 12 total pressures Penix faced, according to SB Nation. The defensive front also surrendered 208 rushing yards, including 102 yards on 24 carries to Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, the AP reported.
The defense suffered another key loss when cornerback C.J. Henderson sustained a groin injury, the AP reported. Henderson’s departure exacerbated depth problems in the secondary, where cornerback Mike Hughes allowed five completions on eight targets for 63 yards against Huntley, according to SB Nation. Reserve Mike Ford was subsequently targeted for a seven-yard touchdown after Hughes briefly exited.
Despite the defeat, several offensive contributors posted solid numbers:
- Running back Bijan Robinson maintained the NFL rushing lead with 580 yards through Sunday’s action, the AP reported.
- Wide receiver Drake London ranked fourth in the league with 488 receiving yards.
- Tight end Kyle Pitts secured five receptions for 42 yards and recorded his first touchdown of the year.
Stefanski and the Falcons now prepare to host Chicago on Sunday, waiting on medical clearance for Penix while determining whether Tagovailoa will need to make his first start of the year.
