ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a rib injury late in the fourth quarter of a 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, leaving his availability for Week 6 in question.
Penix was injured when Baltimore linebacker Tavius Robinson sacked him in the final half-minute of regulation. The Big Lead reported that the sack occurred with 19 seconds remaining, while ABC News reported there were 27 seconds left on the clock. Penix fumbled on the hit and stayed on the turf before team athletic trainers evaluated him.
Backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took the field for one snap before Penix returned to attempt a third-down pass, which fell incomplete. Atlanta then punted to send the game to an extra period. Penix remained on the sideline for overtime with a towel over his head, and Tagovailoa took over for the Falcons’ final drive.
Injury worsening during overtime
Penix told reporters after the game that he had intended to return during overtime, but the pain intensified as his body cooled down while Baltimore held the ball on the opening possession.
“I did take some throws on the sideline to see how I felt, and I did not feel like I was going to be able to give our team what we needed to to be able to help us win that football game because of the pain that I was feeling,” Penix said, according to ABC News.
Despite missing the extra period, Penix stated that he hopes the setback will not keep him out long term. “Knowing me, I’m going to be ready to go next week because I sat out enough in my career,” Penix said, as reported by ABC News.
Reports gave conflicting accounts regarding his previous medical history: ABC News reported Penix missed the first two games this season following Achilles tendon surgery last November, while Last Word on Sports stated he tore his ACL in 2025.
Quarterback options for Week 6
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said the second-year passer would undergo medical imaging on Monday, with ESPN reporting that Penix is slated for an MRI on his ribs to determine the injury’s full extent.
Before the injury, Penix completed 19 of 32 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown and three sacks. Stefanski praised his quarterback’s effort against Baltimore’s defense, telling reporters that while Penix missed some opportunities, “I thought he battled.”
If Penix cannot play Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Tagovailoa is slated to start, according to ABC News. In his Falcons debut on Sunday, Tagovailoa completed a pass on Atlanta’s lone overtime possession before Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton intercepted a throw intended for Drake London to seal Baltimore’s victory. Cooper Rush, who started the first two games of the season, remains the third-string option.
The Falcons, now 2-3 on the season, await Monday’s imaging results to determine whether Penix can start when they host the Bears.
