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This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Penix has been sidelined since November 2025 after suffering his third career ACL tear in a Week 11 loss to Carolina.After playing it cautious all summer and splitting first-team reps last week, Penix finally gave his reconstructed left knee the green light.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!The change became an absolute necessity after Sunday's brutal 34-3 beatdown.Through two weeks, Atlanta's offense has limped to just 16 total points and hasn't snapped the ball a single time inside the red zone.ATLANTA FALCONS ARE DEALING WITH THE WORST QUARTERBACK SITUATION IN THE NFL AND IT ISN'T EVEN CLOSERush was handed the Week 2 start after putting up a dismal 2.6 QBR in the opener, and the sequel was even uglier.
He coughed up three turnovers against Carolina with two picks and a lost fumble before getting benched in the third quarter.Undrafted rookie Jack Strand entered in relief and immediately tossed a pick-six, capping off a complete disaster for Atlanta's passing game.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
(9) walks off the field after overtime of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta on Nov.16, 2025.
(Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Friday, Aug.
15, 2025, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)Atlanta ended up in this spot after offseason signee Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during a Thursday practice right before Week 1.
Tagovailoa had won the starting job in training camp, leaving Rush to take over by default.FALCONS NAME SIXTH DIFFERENT WEEK 1 STARTING QUARTERBACK IN SIX YEARSStefanski held off on making the announcement official until ad...