Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was placed on injured reserve Monday with a left-knee injury sustained in Sunday’s overtime loss to Carolina, sidelining Penix for at least four games and returning veteran Kirk Cousins to the starting role. Head coach Raheem Morris said Penix will seek a second opinion Tuesday but confirmed the IR move. The second year quarterback will miss at least the next four games.Penix was hurt in the third quarter with Atlanta leading 21–16, tackled by Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig on a third-and-10 from the Falcons’ 22. He walked to the sideline tent with trainers and did not return. Cousins finished the game, a 30–27 defeat.”I liked his week of preparation. I like the way he went through everything. I like how he was prepared at a very high level. I like how he took a lot of ownership on it last week and really was ready to have a bounce-back week. It’s heartbreaking for him to go out and get hurt,” Morris said.Before exiting, Penix completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards. Cousins went 6 of 14 for 48 yards in relief. In nine appearances this season (nine games played, nine starts), Penix has completed 60.1% of his passes for 220.2 yards per game with nine touchdowns and three interceptions; Atlanta is 3–6 in his starts. The No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, Penix took over the job late last season after Cousins was benched and entered 2025 as the starter.Cousins, who is 21 of 31 for 173 yards in his lone start this year, will “go through all the rotations this week,” Morris said. Atlanta visits the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. —

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was placed on injured reserve Monday with a left-knee injury sustained in Sunday’s overtime loss to Carolina, sidelining Penix for at least four games and returning veteran Kirk Cousins to the starting role.

Head coach Raheem Morris said Penix will seek a second opinion Tuesday but confirmed the IR move. The second year quarterback will miss at least the next four games.

Penix was hurt in the third quarter with Atlanta leading 21–16, tackled by Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig on a third-and-10 from the Falcons’ 22. He walked to the sideline tent with trainers and did not return. Cousins finished the game, a 30–27 defeat.

“I liked his week of preparation. I like the way he went through everything. I like how he was prepared at a very high level. I like how he took a lot of ownership on it last week and really was ready to have a bounce-back week. It’s heartbreaking for him to go out and get hurt,” Morris said.

Before exiting, Penix completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards. Cousins went 6 of 14 for 48 yards in relief. In nine appearances this season (nine games played, nine starts), Penix has completed 60.1% of his passes for 220.2 yards per game with nine touchdowns and three interceptions; Atlanta is 3–6 in his starts. The No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, Penix took over the job late last season after Cousins was benched and entered 2025 as the starter.

Cousins, who is 21 of 31 for 173 yards in his lone start this year, will “go through all the rotations this week,” Morris said. Atlanta visits the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome.