The Atlanta Falcons fell to 3-7 with a 30-27 loss in overtime to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in front of 70,739 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. exited the game in the third quarter due to a knee injury. The Falcons were leading 21-16 when he left the game.
Kirk Cousins went 6-of-14 for 48 yards in relief of Penix, but was unable to lead Atlanta to a scoring drive during its only possession of overtime. The Falcons punted on a three-and-out drive.
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Atlanta has a more favorable schedule upcoming against the 2-8 New Orleans Saints in Week 12 and 2-8 New York Jets in Week 13. However, it’s unclear if Penix will be able to start against those two teams.
Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Falcons believe Penix could miss “some time” due to the injury.
“Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr is believed to have aggravated the same knee injury as earlier in the season, per me and Tom Pelissero,” Rapoport posted on X. “That bone bruise in the same knee kept him out one game. More tests coming, but there is concern he’ll miss some time.”
Penix missed the Falcons’ 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 26. Cousins struggled in that game, going 21-of-31 passing for 173 yards. Atlanta only rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.
Penix has thrown for 1,807 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions through his first eight games this season. Cousins has thrown for 202 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in his two appearance.
The injury could hurt Atlanta’s chances of staying in the NFC playoff hunt. The Falcons are currently 13th in the NFC and desperately need to grab wins against the Saints and Jets.
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