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After the 2025 season ended, the Atlanta Falcons knew they had to do something about the quarterback position again. Their first move was to cut bait with Kirk Cousins. Yet, that left this group incomplete after Michael Penix Jr. tore the ACL in his left knee in Week 11 of the 2025 season. The expectation all along was that Penix would not be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Thus, the Falcons made other plans, finding a way to position themselves to sign Tua Tagovailoa, a former Pro Bowl QB. His arrival set up a QB competition between Penix and Tagovailoa. Yet, Ian Rapoport recently reported that it’s not really a battle at all because Penix has yet to be able to take any first-team practice reps while he avoids all contact. As the Falcons continue to wait on their former first-round pick, the 26-year-old Penix reportedly received a very positive diagnosis on his knee this offseason. Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game on NFL Week 1 Preseason Schedule Michael Penix Jr. Told He’ll ‘Never Have Any More Knee Problems’ Just a month after inking Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency, the Falcons shocked the world by selecting Penix with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Two years later, that decision, well, both decisions, have not panned out. Cousins now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Penix has delivered a 4-8 record and now appears likely to lose the starting job to Tagovailoa, simply because he hasn’t been able to get the valuable practice reps to learn Kevin Stefanski’s offense. While his short-term outlook offers a roadblock, Penix did receive a very positive long-term diagnosis from a doctor this offseason. According to Falcons insider D. Orlando Ledbetter, a doctor reportedly told Penix that he has an “amazing ACL” and that he “should never have any more knee problems for the rest of your career.” #Falcons QB Michael Penix on his surgery from his doctor — “This is an amazing ACL. You should never have any more knee problems for the rest of your career.” — D. Orlando Ledbetter (@BowTieSportsGuy) August 12, 2026 If so, that would be an amazing development for a player who’s only appeared in 12 games in the past two seasons. Especially considering Penix’s long history of injuries dating back to his college days. Penix tore the ACL in his right knee twice in college and then suffered a partial tear in the ACL in his left knee last season. For the 26-year-old, hearing that his knee would cause no further issues had to be like music to his ears. Still working his way back to 100%, time will tell how long it will be before the Falcons QB gets a chance to prove that doctor right. For now, Tagovailoa is in the pole position, but it doesn’t necessarily mean things will stay that way all season long. Related: 4 Atlanta Falcons Edge Rusher Targets After Jalon Walker Injury Tap Here To Add Sportsnaut As A Trusted Source on Google