The Atlanta Falcons could finally have their top two quarterbacks available for the first time this season for Thursday night’s battle at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Michael Penix Jr. is officially starting, and head coach Kevin Stefanski just confirmed that Tua Tagovailoa is “trending in the right direction” to back him up. This is a massive shift for an Atlanta team that is already staring down an 0-2 hole, and it is happening against a Packers defense that has been seriously stingy.
Penix Jr. Takes the Reins as Atlanta Fights to Stay Afloat
This is big news for the Falcons, who announced on Monday that Penix Jr. would be the starter for Thursday’s Week 3 matchup. He hasn’t played a snap this season, sitting out the first two games while recovering from a nasty knee injury, a torn ACL, that cut his 2025 season short in Week 11. Now, with the team desperate for a spark, they’re turning to the guy who’s been sidelined for so long. It is a high-pressure situation for a quarterback making his season debut, especially with the Falcons reeling from their 0-2 start.
Tua Tagovailoa Returns to the Sideline, Ready to Support
While Penix Jr. gets the nod, the good news is that Tua Tagovailoa is back in the mix, too. Stefanski told reporters that Tua is “working very, very hard to get himself back healthy, and he’s doing really well there,” which is awesome to hear after he missed the first two weeks with an oblique injury. Tua returned to practice in a limited capacity Monday and was a full participant by Tuesday. Stefanski even praised Tagovailoa’s attitude, calling him “ultra supportive, a great person to have around the building.” Remember, Tua hasn’t seen regular-season action since Week 15 of 2025 before he was benched at the end of his Dolphins tenure, so getting him healthy and engaged as a backup is crucial.
The Falcons’ Rough Start and the Looming Green Bay Challenge
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Falcons have been rough. They’re 0-2, with Cooper Rush starting both games in front of backup Jack Strand. Rush has struggled, throwing a pair of interceptions in both starts. Most recently, he only managed a meager 86 passing yards in a brutal 34-3 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers during last Sunday’s home opener. Now, Penix and Tagovailoa could be tasked with facing a Packers defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards against in the NFL so far this season. The pressure is on, big time. The Week 3 matchup kicks off Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field. Can Penix Jr. shake off the rust and inject some life into this floundering Falcons squad? Every snap matters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply