Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said “we’re not gonna rush him” when asked about when Michael Penix (knee) could return to the field.

30 March 2026

Given the nature of Penix’s injury, its timing (Week 11), and his lengthy history of significant lower-body injuries, the decision not to rush him back is probably a good one. Stefanski, who is now with his second team and still in search of an answer at quarterback at either of his stops, went out and added Tua Tagovailoa to his quarterback room this offseason. Tagovailoa figures to have the inside edge on being named the Week 1 starter due to Penix’s injury, but barring a spectacular development in which Tagovailoa cements himself as the unquestioned QB1 on the team, we would still expect to see Penix on the field at some point in 2026 when healthy. Penix is only four months removed from his surgery for a torn ACL, which can take anywhere from six to 12 months to come back from. He could be a candidate to open camp on the PUP list depending on how the next few months go.