#Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr does, in fact, need surgery to repair his ACL, with 9 months of recovery, at least, coming.
He’s sought the opinion of experts, including from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Penix has an ACL sprain, but full reconstruction is needed. pic.twitter.com/rdz34X1eAh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2025
Former Washington Huskies superstar quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s first full season as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback has come to an end.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft was placed on injured reserve after suffering a reportedly partially torn ACL in his left knee and will undergo surgery to repair it. This is the third time the product of Dade City, Florida, has suffered a torn ACL in his career after injuring his right knee twice during his time at Indiana before transferring to Washington.
The recovery timeline is expected to take at least nine months, putting his status for the start of the 2026 season in jeopardy. However, as he has gone through the ups and downs of a young quarterback in his first year as a starter, the Falcons have struggled around him, showing few pieces to get excited about in a 3-8 season with an injury-riddled offensive line and no supporting cast behind stars Bijan Robinson and Drake London at running back and wide receiver.
Without a first-round pick in the 2026 draft after trading it to the Los Angeles Rams, general manager Terry Fontenot may have to get creative to put a stronger roster around the rocket-armed lefty, who completed just over 60 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards and 9 touchdowns with 3 interceptions this year.
“We feel really confident (he will come back stronger),” head coach Raheem Morris said. “No doubt, Mike is going to attack this rehab to get back to this team.”
This is the fifth season-ending injury for Penix in eight years, but words from a letter he wrote to NFL general managers in the Players’ Tribune before the 2024 draft ring true.
“We don’t all come back the same,” he wrote. “I can’t speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I’ve seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I’m prepared to weather. For most people that’d be the end of their story. But there’s more to my story, and I own every page of it.