The quarterback situation in Atlanta has been one of the NFL’s most closely watched storylines. After an offseason marked by injuries and a two-week stint with Cooper Rush under center, Atlanta appeared to find some stability when Michael Penix Jr. returned to the starting lineup.
Late in Sunday’s hard-fought game against the Baltimore Ravens, Penix sustained a rib injury on a sack. He briefly returned before the end of regulation but could not continue in overtime, forcing Tua Tagovailoa to take over.
Tagovailoa threw the game-ending interception, leaving Penix’s status for a pivotal Week 6 meeting with the Chicago Bears uncertain.
After Penix underwent an MRI earlier this week, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that the quarterback is on track to start Sunday’s game, barring any setbacks.
Penix was back at practice Wednesday, although he was listed as a limited participant.
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Stefanski stopped short of offering details about what he knew about the extent of Penix’s rib injury, instead telling reporters that the left-handed thrower is “feeling better.”
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter told “The Pat McAfee Show” that Penix’s rib injury “didn’t look like it’s a long-term injury” at the time.
Penix’s practice workload this week will depend on how he feels, Stefanski said.
“I want to see how he’s feeling,” Stefanski said. “With any injury like this, you want to make sure as they move around and how they’re feeling — it could be all, some, none. We shall see.”
ESPN reported later on Wednesday that Penix “took all the first-team reps in practice.”
“I felt good today at practice,” Penix told reporters when asked the status of his ribs. “… I just gotta stay on top of my rehab and just make sure I’m doing all the right things.”
He added: “I feel good to go this week, so that’s the plan.”
Penix’s injury history, dating back to his college days, is well documented. He suffered his latest ACL injury last November and underwent surgery. His recovery kept him out of the Falcons’ first two games this season.
Bears star Caleb Williams’ status is also unclear for Sunday’s game in Atlanta. He’s missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. However, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that Williams would be listed was a full participant on the latest injury report.
