Why Falcons are starting Kirk Cousins instead of Michael Penix Jr. in Week 15 vs. Bucs
Why Falcons are starting Kirk Cousins instead of Michael Penix Jr. in Week 15 vs. Bucs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the Atlanta Falcons take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15 on Thursday night, it’ll be Kirk Cousins and not Michael Penix Jr. under center.
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Of course, Penix Jr. was the Falcons’ No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and while it was initially thought that he would not see the field for maybe a season or more, that turned out not to be the case.
Instead, the Falcons opted to bench Cousins in favor of Penix late last season with the veteran struggling and the team desperately needing a spark.
But now Cousins is back in a starting role late this season. Here’s why.
Why Falcons are starting Kirk Cousins
Cousins is in the starting lineup because Penix Jr. is out due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 11.
After undergoing tests, it was determined that Penix Jr. had suffered a partially torn ACL that required surgery. It was the final blow in what was a very disappointing season for Penix and the Falcons.
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Will Michael Penix Jr. return in 2025?
No, Penix won’t be back this season.
A torn ACL is a season-ending injury no matter when it happens during the campaign.
Michael Penix Jr. return timeline
Return timeline: About 9 months
Recovery from ACL surgery typically takes about nine months.
It would appear Penix Jr. got his surgery done in November, so he could get cleared to practice around August of next year, which puts him in line to be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign, barring any setbacks.