The news keeps getting worse for the Falcons.
Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will miss at least the next four games after the team placed him on the injured list Monday.
“We are working through the medical process to determine the severity of the injury,” the Falcons said in a team statement. “He will be placed on the reserve/injured list and miss a minimum of four games.
“With the move, Kirk Cousins will assume the starting quarterback role for the Falcons at this time.”
There are concerns that Penix’s season could be over after he suffered a left knee injury in Sunday’s loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to the Carolina Panthers, according to a report Monday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Coach Raheem Morris is scheduled to speak to the media later Monday.
Penix sustained the injury late in the third quarter and did not return to the game, giving way to Cousins. Penix was evading two Panthers pass rushers, and when he was tackled, his left knee buckled awkwardly under him.
In 2020, Penix was a second-team All-Big Ten selection at Indiana, but he tore his ACL in his right knee against Maryland in November and missed the rest of the season.
According to Schefter’s report, Penix will seek a second opinion, but the outlook is “not encouraging.”
Penix was having a solid game, going 13-of-16 for 175 yards before the injury. Cousins finished 6-of-14 for 48 yards.
The Falcons lost in overtime, 30-27, and fell to 3-7 this season.
Cousins was the Falcons’ starter last season until Penix replaced him for the last three games. Cousins is the highest-paid backup in the league after signing a four-year deal worth $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed before last season.
After Sunday’s loss, Cousins was asked if he were looking forward to the game against New Orleans, the team’s next opponent.
“We don’t know where this will go, but kind of day to day, and we’ll see where we end up,” Cousins said.
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