Huge news out of Atlanta: Michael Penix was just listed as a full participant on the Falcons’ first practice report of the 2026 season. Sounds great, right? Not so fast. The Falcons have already ruled Penix out for this week’s game against the Steelers, which means full practice or not, he is still sidelined.
The “Really Close” Quarterback Conundrum
Penix has been back doing full team work since late August, and he even said earlier this week that he felt “really close” to being 100 percent recovered from last year’s torn ACL. That’s a good sign for anyone hoping to see him back on the field, but here’s the kicker: he himself admitted he doesn’t want to play until “there’s no doubt in my mind that I trust my knee.” That’s a mental hurdle as much as it is a physical one, and it’s clearly still there, keeping him off the field despite practicing. It’s tough when your body says yes, but your mind is still holding back. You gotta trust it, or what’s the point?
Tua and the Injury Report Blues
So, with Penix watching from the sidelines, who’s under center for Atlanta? Tua Tagovailoa is slated to start against Pittsburgh, with Cooper Rush backing him up. That’s your QB room for Week 1, folks. It’s a big game to kick off the season, and you want your best guys out there. Unfortunately, Penix isn’t the only one dealing with issues. Atlanta’s got a few other names on the injury report. Wide receiver Zachariah Branch is limited with a hamstring issue. Offensive lineman Kyle Hinton is dealing with a knee injury. Cornerback Billy Bowman is out there with an Achilles problem, while defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus has a groin issue, and defensive end Za’Darius Smith is battling a shoulder injury. That’s a lot of key players either out or limited for their first big test.
This week’s opener against the Steelers is gonna be a serious challenge for the Falcons, especially with Penix still on the mend and a handful of other guys banged up. Tua’s gotta step up big time. We’ll be watching to see how he handles the pressure and how quickly Penix can truly get his head right and trust that knee to get back into the lineup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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