Michael Penix Starts Week 3 vs Packers

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will start Thursday night at the Green Bay Packers, the team announced Monday, marking his first start since a season-ending knee injury last November. Penix was a full participant on Monday's estimated practice report. Cooper Rush started the first two games while Penix and Tua Tagovailoa were sidelined, and Atlanta sits 0-2 after a 34-3 loss to Carolina.

Rush completed 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions across two starts. He was benched in the second half Sunday for undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Penix completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts in 2025 before the knee injury. Soft fantasy note only: bank the named starter stamp. Do not invent a Thursday snap share or a Lambeau ceiling from one announcement.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he had a decent idea where Atlanta was going at quarterback and wanted to tell the team before making it public. Tagovailoa is getting better with an oblique issue and remains part of the Week 3 plan discussion. Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson kept the run game alive against Carolina with 157 combined rush yards.

Thursday at Lambeau

Penix gets the ball. Short week. Packers at home.

Season debut locked. Falcons need a spark now.