5 days ago
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The Atlanta Falcons fear Michael Penix Jr suffered a season-ending knee injury during their loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, according to reports.
Penix was left in clear discomfort after aggravating a bone bruise on his left knee early in the third quarter of Atlanta's 30-27 overtime defeat and did not return.
The Falcons, who have lost five straight games, were leading 21-16 at the time of his injury and the 25-year-old was 13 of 16 for 175 yards.
Less than 24 hours after he hobbled off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Penix sustained a potentially season-ending knee injury against the Panthers.
It is believed he will now seek a second opinion after being assessed by the Falcons' medical team, though the initial signs are far from encouraging.
Following his injury, $180million back up Kirk Cousins - who failed to impress again after replacing him on Sunday - will take over as starter in Penix's absence.
The Atlanta Falcons fear Michael Penix Jr suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday
Kirk Cousins will replace Penix as starting quarterback in Atlanta if those fears are justified
On the Falcons' opening possession of the third quarter, Penix was hit by Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig just after he released the ball on third down and the ball fell incomplete.
He started to walk off the field, then sat down and waited for the athletic training staff. Penix walked to the sideline under his own power and was examined in the injury tent.
Cousins came in for the Falcons, as he did earlier this season against the Dolphins, and struggled once more after finishing six of 14 for 84 yards. The 37-year-old didn't lead them into the end zone in five possessions.
Penix has completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns in nine appearances for Atlanta this season, while throwing three interceptions and being sacked three times.
He was not the only Atlanta player to limp out of Sunday's loss, nevertheless, with wide receiver Drake London also suffering a PCL sprain that could keep him out for several weeks.
The 25-year-old was enjoying a decent outing against the Carolina Panthers before the injury
London will definitely be missing when the Falcons visit the New Orleans Saints this coming Sunday, when they will aim to record their first victory since a shock October 13 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris said if Cousins is the starter against the Saints he will have input on the offensive game plan.
The veteran quarterback, who's on the books for $40m this season in the first of a four-year contract, is 32 of 52 for 286 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions coming off the bench this season.
'We'll go find out what Kirk does well this week,' Morris said. 'And so, you know, (offensive coordinator) Zac (Robinson) and those guys will work together, depending on what happens with with Michael, and we'll be to figure those things out when we get closer to practice on Wednesday.'
