The Atlanta Falcons announced on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will require season-ending surgery due to a partly torn left ACL.
Last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Penix was hit in the third quarter and suffered a knee injury. Veteran Kirk Cousins, who will be the Falcons‘ starting quarterback for the remainder of this season, took his place when he was substituted out of the game. On Sunday, the Falcons (3-7) travel to play the New Orleans Saints, a division opponent.
This weekend, Cousins’ receiving corps will be understaffed. Morris also announced that Drake London, a wide receiver, will miss the Saints game due to a PCL injury to his left knee. During the Panthers’ 30-27 overtime defeat, London hurt his knee. London will miss two games this season.
London has seven receptions for 119 yards prior to leaving that Carolina game. It was his fifth game with more than 100 yards in the previous six Falcons games and his third consecutive game with more than 100 yards. Last season, he surpassed the 100-yard barrier for the first time in his career with three. In the league, London is tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (6), fourth in receiving yards (810), and seventh in receptions (60).
Raheem Morris, the coach of the Falcons, stated that he does not have a timeline for Penix’s comeback, although he acknowledged that it would be “hard to say no” when asked if Penix will start in the first week of 2026. Morris reported that he had a positive conversation with Penix.
