The Atlanta Falcons finally have a starting quarterback. After starting third-stringer Cooper Rush for their first two games of the season, both of which ended in a loss, Michael Penix is finally able to come back and will make his first start of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. It will be his first game since tearing his ACL last year.
This was best-case scenario for the #Falcons. Penix is ready. https://t.co/BX5r80iuHU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2026
In the two games Rush started, Atlanta scored only 16 points, 13 of which came in their opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rush played terribly in those games with only 229 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and four interceptions, and was sacked five times. He was benched in the game against the Carolina
Panthers for undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Strand also threw an interception and was sacked twice.
Penix started nine games for the Falcons last year. While Atlanta only won three of those games, the offense was more efficient as Penix threw nine touchdowns to only three interceptions. He is their best chance at beating Green Bay to get their first win of the season and should help wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts have greater production as well as open things up in the run game for running back Bijan Robinson.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Atlanta gets QB Michael Penix back for TNF game vs Green Bay Packers
