Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start Sunday against the Chicago Bears if his rib injury does not take a step back, coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday.
“Yes,” Stefanski said when asked whether Penix would start. “It’s trending. As long as everything goes according to plan, yes.”
Penix returned to practice after Monday imaging on the ribs and was listed as a full participant on Wednesday’s injury report; he said he took all of the starting reps. He told reporters he felt good, that the imaging results were positive, and that he made every throw in the portion of practice open to the media, even if it was not always comfortable.
How he got hurt
Penix left Sunday night’s overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens after a sack with 27 seconds left in regulation. Backup Tua Tagovailoa entered for the overtime possession and threw the interception that sealed Atlanta’s 30-23 defeat.
Stefanski would not detail the MRI findings but said Penix is “feeling better” than he was after the game. Snap share in practice this week will depend on how the quarterback moves and feels day to day.
Why it matters for Week 6
Atlanta is 2-3 and has scored heavily since Penix returned from last year’s ACL surgery in Week 3. The Falcons host Chicago at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 18, with San Francisco and Tampa Bay still ahead on the October calendar. Thursday and Friday practice reports will show whether the start stays on track.
Cornerback C.J. Henderson, dealing with a groin issue, is also being monitored this week after he was hurt against Baltimore.
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