Michael Penix Jr. named Falcons starting quarterback for Week 3 vs. Packers

The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, according to a statement released on Monday. Penix Jr. had missed the team's first two games while recovering from ACL surgery. This marks a shift from Cooper Rush, who had started the previous two games after Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury before the start of the regular season.

Rush had struggled in those starts, completing only 56.4 percent of his passes and throwing four interceptions. The Falcons made it clear they were moving on from Rush during their Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers, replacing him with rookie Jack Strand in the third quarter. Strand, however, fumbled by throwing a pick-six on his first-ever NFL pass attempt.

With this change, Penix Jr. will make his first NFL start since undergoing another ACL injury in November of the previous season, marking the third time in his career he has undergone ACL surgery. Penix Jr. had been on a strong run before his injury, tossing nine touchdowns against three interceptions in nine starts. Despite showing progress in his recovery, he was ruled out for both Week 1 and Week 2 due to ongoing recovery.

Despite the challenging circumstances, including facing a Green Bay Packers team coming off an overtime win over the New York Jets, expectations for Penix Jr.'s first start are low given the Falcons' struggling offense this season. If he can help the team look more professional in his debut, it could significantly aid in salvaging a difficult season for Falcons fans.