Michael Penix participates, and everything else you need to know from Monday’s Falcons practice

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. participated in the Atlanta Falcons' practice on Monday, August 14, 2026, despite being medically cleared to return to football activities. The practice, which took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, saw Penix get a significant amount of work, while backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Jack Strand received fewer reps.

Kevin Stefanski, the Falcons' offensive coordinator, addressed concerns about Penix's mental recovery from his knee injury and reconstruction. He stated that getting Penix in the huddle with all 11 players is his top priority at the moment. Stefanski also emphasized the importance of player development and the intentional way they bring players along.

During the practice, Penix threw some off-target passes, often a bit high, but hit Drake London deep, slightly off target. He also looked comfortable connecting over the middle with Pitts. The practice notes mentioned that there was no pads and no contact during the game, and Penix demonstrated good technique by using his legs to extend a play when pressured.

Another standout moment was Penix hitting Drake London on an over-the-middle completion, which led to an excited reaction from the crowd. The coaching staff was praised for their approach to teaching, particularly their IMMEDIATE correction when mistakes are made.