- May 21, 2026
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Michael Penix is set to make his first start for the Falcons since last November when the team faces the Packers on Thursday night and the quarterback shared his excitement about that return during a press conference on Tuesday.
Penix had said in recent weeks that he felt close to getting back in the lineup, but not all the way back to where he needed to be to feel confident in playing. He said that changed late last week as lingering soreness went away and he was convinced it was time to get back on the field after "pushing it to the limit" in a workout and finding that the knee "responded good."
Penix said that the timing of his return had nothing to do with having extended rest heading into Week 4 or because of how poorly the first two weeks have gone for the team.
“Being healthy is what I was targeting. I was never no week-to-week thing," Penix said at a press conference. "It was being healthy. Whenever I felt like I can go out there, like I said, get out of all that soreness and get stronger each and every day, that’s what it was always about. Once I felt healthy, it felt like I was ready to go. . . . I’m never gonna sit out if I’m healthy. I knew I wasn’t where I needed to be the first two weeks and now I feel like I’m where I want to be, so that’s why you’ll see me up this week."
Penix called it "very exciting when you make the final decision" and, given the way the offense has floundered through two games, he's likely not the only Falcons player excited about the change in plans for this week.
Penix had said in recent weeks that he felt close to getting back in the lineup, but not all the way back to where he needed to be to feel confident in playing. He said that changed late last week as lingering soreness went away and he was convinced it was time to get back on the field after "pushing it to the limit" in a workout and finding that the knee "responded good."
Penix said that the timing of his return had nothing to do with having extended rest heading into Week 4 or because of how poorly the first two weeks have gone for the team.
“Being healthy is what I was targeting. I was never no week-to-week thing," Penix said at a press conference. "It was being healthy. Whenever I felt like I can go out there, like I said, get out of all that soreness and get stronger each and every day, that’s what it was always about. Once I felt healthy, it felt like I was ready to go. . . . I’m never gonna sit out if I’m healthy. I knew I wasn’t where I needed to be the first two weeks and now I feel like I’m where I want to be, so that’s why you’ll see me up this week."
Penix called it "very exciting when you make the final decision" and, given the way the offense has floundered through two games, he's likely not the only Falcons player excited about the change in plans for this week.