Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start eventually as he recovers from a left knee injury, according to NFL Network reporting. Meanwhile, first-year coach Kevin Stefanski has not named a regular-season starter, leaving an open competition alongside Tua Tagovailoa.
Michael Penix Jr. Recovery Timeline and Open Competition
The Atlanta Falcons are navigating a delicate quarterback situation as the regular season approaches. Michael Penix Jr. did not play in a single preseason game while working his way back from the left knee injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. Although he was cleared to join team drills for the first time, coach Kevin Stefanski held him out of the team’s final preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Even with Penix sidelined during exhibition play, Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start eventually,
according to reporting from Cameron Wolfe. The precise timeline for when he will take over under center remains undetermined, though Cunningham confirmed on Wednesday there has been no decision on a starter.
Roster Gymnastics and Four-Quarterback Strategy
To manage their unfolding quarterback room, the Falcons made the unusual decision to carry four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster. Cunningham addressed the roster math candidly, explaining the heavy investment at the position.
“I feel like that’s a little bit of the roster gymnastics, right? It’s four quarterbacks and two running backs. You have to sacrifice at some position. … And it will probably change throughout the season. Just because we start with this 53 now, it may not be the same 53 that it is, you know, Week 18.”
Ian Cunningham
Carrying four signal-callers forced the franchise to make sacrifices elsewhere on the depth chart. The team retained only Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson at running back on the active roster, with Tyler Goodson tucked away on the 16-player practice squad as the third option.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Preseason Performance and Roster Outlook
The quarterback battle gained new dimensions during the team’s exhibition slate. Tua Tagovailoa, who carries a history of concussions and finished his sixth season in Miami benched for the final three games after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions, engineered a touchdown drive against the Dolphins. However, that bright spot came alongside a fumbled snap, marking his second fumbled exchange in three preseason games.
Those turnovers contributed to Stefanski’s decision to delay naming a regular-season starter. If Penix shows he is fully recovered from his knee injury and performs well once game action begins in Pittsburgh, the front office could adjust the active roster and pare down to three quarterbacks.
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