Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. Takes Himself Off the Depth Chart for Week 1

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was listed as a full participant in practice this week, but he won’t be under center when the team opens its season against Pittsburgh on Sunday. The reason, according to reporting first published by Comcast-owned NBC Sports, is that the decision came not from the coaching staff or the medical team — but from the quarterback himself.

Penix, who is working back from his third knee surgery, told head coach Kevin Stefanski that he doesn’t believe his body is ready for game action despite being cleared for full drills since August 22. “I just told him, I’m not where I want to be right now,” Penix said. His stated priority is returning to complete health rather than rushing back for a single game.

A Rare Player-Led Timeline

The arrangement is unusual in a league where availability decisions are typically announced top-down. Stefanski said the organization and the player are aligned, noting that clearance for 11-on-11 practice work is a different bar than performing at regular-season speed. He drew a comparison to offensive linemen who may be medically cleared yet still lack the functional movement required in live games.

Being a full practice participant, analysts noted, does not guarantee readiness for the tempo of an NFL opener — a distinction that appears central to how Atlanta is handling its young quarterback’s return.

Who Starts, and What Else to Know

With Penix inactive, the Falcons will turn to Tagovailoa to run the offense in Week 1. The club’s latest injury report also listed Zachariah Branch and Za’Darius Smith as limited participants.

The story circulated widely across sports media on Wednesday, including on NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk, a property of Comcast’s media portfolio. Comcast shares were trading at $24.125 in recent action, down 1.61% from a previous close of $24.52, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $92.5 billion.

Fan speculation about Penix’s first start has already begun, with some polls pointing to a potential Week 4 return. The team has given no indication it intends to accelerate a quarterback with three knee surgeries in his medical history.

What to watch

• Updates on Penix’s practice status in the coming weeks and whether he progresses to full game preparation.
• The Falcons’ quarterback depth chart and Tagovailoa’s performance during Penix’s absence.
• Atlanta’s next official injury report ahead of subsequent games.

Source: original release