The Falcons’ worst fears about Michael Penix were confirmed.
The second-year quarterback needs surgery to repair a torn ACL and is done for the season, the team announced, a procedure that could put his status for the start of 2026 in jeopardy.
Penix, 25, injured his knee during Sunday’s overtime loss to the Panthers that dropped the Falcons to 3-7.
He finishes the season with 1,983 yards passing, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Atlanta stunned the NFL world when it drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in 2024, just a month after signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.
Cousins, 37, said he did not know the Falcons were going to be drafting a quarterback in the first round.
The team now has to turn back to Cousins with its season on life support.
Cousins failed to live up to his big contract last season, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts.
He was benched for the final three games for the then-rookie Penix as the Falcons were 7-7 and fighting for a playoff spot.
After winning Penix’s debut with a blowout over the Giants, the Falcons lost in overtime in each of their final two games against the Commanders and Panthers to miss the postseason.
In a spot start for Penix last month, Cousins was 21-for-31 with 173 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 34-10 drubbing at the hands of the Dolphins.
