On Sunday in Week 11, the Falcons played at home against the Panthers. Earlier this season, Atlanta lost 30-0 to Carolina in Week 3. The Falcons were swept by the Panthers in the season series and are 3-7 in 2025.
Atlanta still has seven games left in 2025. In Sunday’s game against the Panthers, starting QB Michael Penix Jr. suffered a re-aggravation of a knee injury he suffered earlier this year. Penix was forced to leave early, and Kirk Cousins was brought on to end the game. NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons are concerned about Penix’s season-ending knee injury. Michael Penix wants a second opinion. If Penix is unable to play the rest of the year, Kirk Cousins will take over.
Kirk Cousins is ready to finish the season as Falcons QB
ESPN Source: Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Penix plans to seek a second opinion, but it’s not encouraging. pic.twitter.com/GiWa64ofSN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2025
The Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. from Washington with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was one of six quarterbacks taken in the top 12 picks of the draft class. NFL media was shocked to see the Falcons select Penix. Just one month before the 2024 NFL Draft, Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
Cousins started the first 14 games of the 2024 season for the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. started the final three games and became the starter to open the 2025 season. Kirk Cousins is paid more than $40 million per season as the Falcons’ backup. However, Michael Penix re-aggravated his knee injury in Week 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team is concerned that Penix could miss the rest of the season.
Michael Penix has already been through a lot.
2018 ACL tear
Will undergo shoulder surgery after the 2019 season
2020 anterior cruciate ligament tear
Another season-ending knee injury in 2025He will be back 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BIz1qPHZtA
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 17, 2025
The 25-year-old QB wants a second opinion. If Penix is unavailable, Kirk Cousins could start the final seven games of 2025. The veteran QB played in three games this season and started one. Cousins played as Mikael Penix, but suffered a broken bone. He missed the Week 8 game against Dolphins. The Falcons lost that game 34-10.
Mikael Penix re-injured the same knee that kept him out of one start earlier this year. During his college days, Michael Penix Jr. tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2018 and 2020. Penix suffered a bone bruise on his left knee in Week 7. To make matters worse, Penix reinjured his left knee Sunday against the Panthers. Now, Penix could miss the final seven games of the 2025 season. Not ideal for the 3-7 Falcons, who are set to miss the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
