The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback situation is a complete mess right now, and they’re longing for Michael Penix Jr.
Those problems were on full display Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush under center. Rush threw the ball just 22 times during the Falcons’ 20-13 loss, completing only 12 passes, with eight of them going to running back Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta’s starter going into the week was supposed to be former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but the 28-year-old went down with an oblique injury three days before the game.
Tagovailoa was still not practicing on Wednesday, putting his status for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers in serious doubt.
With Rush’s horrific performance, fans were hoping that last year’s starter, Penix, would be ready to play in time for Sunday. Penix is recovering from a partially torn ACL he suffered in November of last season and has been working his way back ever since.
And while Penix was indeed practicing on Wednesday, the third-year quarterback gave a mixed answer when asked by the media about his chances of suiting up.
“I’m close; it’s just a couple of technical things I want to hit, some goals that I have that I want to achieve before I do step out on that field, but I do feel really good and have been taking strides each and every day,” Penix said.
However, Penix stopped short of saying he would be ready to return as soon as this week.
“I didn’t say this week wasn’t realistic. I don’t know. Like I’m saying, I’m working each and every day, and right now I gotta be where my feet are. So like today I felt good in practice. I wanna keep making strides, keep feeling better each and every day. And once my knee feels where it needs to be, I’m gonna be ready to play. Like I said, there’s no number on it. No week three, week four, whenever my knee feels good, I’m gonna be out there.”
While Penix is indeed getting closer, his comments make it clear that a Week 2 return is far from guaranteed. If he isn’t ready and Tagovailoa remains sidelined, Rush would be in line for another start against the divisional rival Panthers.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski will have to get creative with Rush after the veteran quarterback generated just 143 yards through the air. Luckily, they face a Panthers defense that allowed the most points in Week 1, with the Chicago Bears putting up 59.
However, Carolina also scored 37 points of its own, showing they’re capable of going toe-to-toe if the game gets out of hand. Either way, Atlanta can’t afford a repeat of what happened in Week 1.
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