FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. turned in an encouraging practice on Day 1 of training camp, completing 6-8 passes during team drills, including a touchdown pass to rookie receiver Zachariah Branch.
Penix remains on a controlled recovery plan after suffering the third ACL injury of his career, but according to his doctor, he’s ahead of schedule.
“I was told another four weeks possibly before going into that next stage, but it could be earlier,” Penix said. “I’m just trusting him, and all he can go off is what he sees. Whatever he saw, that was the decision he made. But he did say I am further along than he expected me to be, so I’m in a great spot.”
The former Washington star said his health remains the priority after tearing his ACL twice at Indiana before staying healthy during two standout seasons with the Huskies.
Although his practice reps are limited, Penix continues taking reps while building chemistry with Atlanta’s receivers alongside veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
“We’ve been building that all season,” Penix said. “Me and Tua both, we throw with the receivers in the offseason as well too. So that’s nothing. That all comes whenever we get back on the field. Obviously, we do a lot of routes on air and stuff too so that we can get that timing down. It’s just football.”
Once fully cleared, Penix is expected to battle Tagovailoa for Atlanta’s starting quarterback job, making every rep during training camp and the preseason significant.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix’s timeline hasn’t changed the organization’s confidence in his recovery.
“He’s hitting every single checkpoint,” Stefanski said. “I’m very, very confident in the plan. All along, we have put total trust into Mike and the medical team and his doctor performing surgery. So I’m very, very comfortable with where we are and the plan that we have.
“Also, I know Mike, and he has the absolute right attitude, which is why he can keep grinding on every single day and get better every single night.”
Veteran guard Chris Lindstrom praised Penix’s attitude despite the setback.
“His confidence around the building is great and just his personality connection with guys and his attitude, the stuff he’s been able to overcome,” Lindstrom said. “He came in with a great attitude and he did that again today, so you just really want the best for him.”
Day 1 efficient showing served as another reminder of Penix’s talent, but both he and the Falcons remain focused on the bigger picture: making sure he’s fully healthy before ramping up his workload.
