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Falcons Lose Michael Penix Jr. for Season With Partial ACL Tear as Kirk Cousins Takes Over

Atlanta elevated Easton Stick, added Kyle Trask to the practice squad, and will face the Saints without top receiver Drake London.

Overview

  • Atlanta announced Penix will undergo season-ending surgery on his partially torn left ACL after placing him on injured reserve earlier in the week.
  • Kirk Cousins has been named the starting quarterback for the remainder of 2025, with Easton Stick promoted to backup and Kyle Trask added to the practice squad.
  • Head coach Raheem Morris said Drake London will miss Sunday’s game in New Orleans with a left knee PCL injury.
  • A second opinion confirmed the ACL diagnosis, marking Penix’s third ACL surgery after two previous right-knee repairs in college.
  • Multiple reports project roughly a nine-month recovery, putting a potential return around mid-August 2026, as the 3-7 Falcons seek to end a five-game skid.