Michael Penix Jr. Will Start Thursday Against Green Bay
The Atlanta Falcons named Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback for the upcoming Thursday Night Football game.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Will Michael Penix Jr. remain healthy for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season?
The Atlanta Falcons will start Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback for their Thursday, September 24, 2026, matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The game will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
Why it matters
The decision comes after the team faced injury challenges with acquisition Tua Tagovailoa, who was originally slated to replace Penix. Penix returns to the field following his own recovery from knee surgery performed in November 2025.
Penix has recorded 2,757 passing yards during his professional career. He has appeared in 14 games since leaving the University of Washington and currently holds a 4-8 record as a starter.
The players
Michael Penix Jr.
He is the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons who previously played college football at the University of Washington.
Tua Tagovailoa
He is a professional quarterback acquired by the Atlanta Falcons who is currently sidelined with an injury.
Atlanta Falcons
They are a professional American football team based in Atlanta that competes in the National Football League.
Green Bay Packers
They are a professional American football team based in Green Bay that competes in the National Football League.
The details
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, the quarterback takes the field for this prime-time contest in an effort to stabilize the Atlanta offensive unit. The team moved to Penix after their other primary signal-caller, Tua Tagovailoa, suffered an injury.
Timeline
November 2025: Penix tore his knee and had surgery.
Thursday, September 24, 2026: Penix starts for the Falcons against the Packers.
The Big Picture
This roster move follows the standard regulatory requirements mandated by the NFL injury report protocols. The shift underscores the recurring challenge of maintaining quarterback depth within the competitive landscape of the league.
Fantasy managers and bettors should note Penix takes over a starting role with 2,757 career passing yards to his name. The game will be exclusively available to viewers through the Amazon Prime Video broadcast.
The takeaway
Quarterback stability remains a critical factor for teams managing thin depth charts during the NFL season. Fans should monitor injury reports closely to see how these roster adjustments impact team performance in future weeks.
Further reading
For more on local team developments, visit the Football section.
Live Poll
Will Michael Penix Jr. remain healthy for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season?
