Atlanta will rely on Kirk Cousins after Michael Penix encountered a significant knee injury in Week 11
On Sunday during Week 11, the Falcons hosted the Panthers. Earlier in the season, Atlanta endured a 30-0 defeat against Carolina in Week 3. The Falcons were outplayed in the season series by the Panthers and currently hold a record of 3-7 in 2025.
Atlanta has seven more games remaining in 2025. During the matchup against the Panthers on Sunday, starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. re-aggravated a knee injury from earlier this season. He had to leave the game prematurely, allowing Kirk Cousins to step in to complete the contest. NFL insider Adam Schefter disclosed that the Falcons are concerned that Penix may have sustained a knee injury that could end his season. Michael Penix is looking for a second opinion. If Penix is unable to participate for the remainder of the year, Kirk Cousins will step in as the starter.
Kirk Cousins is well-prepared to conclude the season as quarterback for the Falcons.
ESPN sources: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025
In the 2024 NFL draft, the Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington with the eighth overall pick. He was among six quarterbacks chosen within the top 12 picks of his draft class. The NFL media expressed surprise when the Falcons opted for Penix. Just one month prior to the 2024 NFL draft, Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal.
Cousins started the first 14 games of the 2024 season for the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. took the helm for the last three games and was named the starter at the start of the 2025 season. Kirk Cousins is earning in excess of $40 million annually to serve as the Falcons’ backup. However, Michael Penix re-aggravated a knee injury in Week 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the team fears Penix could miss the rest of the season.
Michael Penix has triumphed over numerous challenges:
2018 torn ACL2019 season-ending shoulder surgery2020 torn ACL2025 another season-ending knee injury
He’ll be back pic.twitter.com/BIz1qPHZtA
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 17, 2025
The 25-year-old quarterback is pursuing a second medical evaluation. Should Penix be ruled out, Kirk Cousins might lead the Falcons for the last seven games of 2025. The seasoned quarterback has played in three games and made one start this season. Cousins stepped in for Michael Penix, who dealt with a bone bruise. He was unavailable for their Week 8 match against the Dolphins, which the Falcons lost 34-10.
Michael Penix re-injured the same knee that had previously caused him to miss one start earlier this season. In college, Michael Penix Jr. suffered ACL tears in both 2018 and 2020 in his right knee. He experienced a bone bruise in his left knee during Week 7. To complicate matters, Penix again injured his left knee in Sunday’s defeat against the Panthers. Now, Penix may be sidelined for the final seven games of the 2025 season. This scenario is less than ideal for the 3-7 Falcons who are poised to miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Published: 2025-11-17 16:33:00
source: sportslens.org
