Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is on track to start Sunday against the Chicago Bears despite a rib injury, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday, provided Penix avoids any setbacks during the week of practice. The update gives the clearest picture yet of where Penix stands after getting hurt late in Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Penix, 26, was hurt in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s overtime loss to Baltimore, a scary moment in the fourth quarter that saw him briefly return before being replaced by Tua Tagovailoa once the game reached overtime. Tagovailoa threw an interception in that extra period, and the Falcons fell 30-23 in overtime without Lamar Jackson on the field for Baltimore.
What The Team Said About Penix’s Rib Injury Status
Stefanski told reporters, including ESPN‘s Marc Raimondi, that “Penix will start Sunday as long as everything goes accordingly.” The coach did not disclose specifics about the extent of the rib injury, though he confirmed Penix underwent imaging earlier in the week.
Asked how Penix looked, Stefanski said the quarterback is “feeling better” as of Wednesday. He added that Penix will practice in a limited fashion, with his snap count determined by how his ribs respond to movement.
“I want to see how he’s feeling. With any injury like this, you want to make sure as they move around and how they’re feeling, it could be all, some, none. We shall see,” Stefanski said.
Penix has said he expects to play against the Bears, according to Yahoo Sports, though he may not be at full capacity because of the rib injury. No official designation such as questionable or doubtful has been reported yet, and Atlanta’s practice participation Wednesday figures to shape that decision as the week progresses.
Who Replaces Penix If He Can’t Go
If Penix is unable to clear the week without setbacks, Tagovailoa is the quarterback who has already stepped into relief duty this season. He entered in overtime against Baltimore once Penix came out, though that outing ended with an interception that Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said safety Kyle Hamilton saw coming before the throw.
No formal contingency plan has been announced, and the sources do not specify whether Tagovailoa would be the starter or whether another option is available if Penix cannot go.
Penix’s Season Context And Why His Status Matters
Penix returned to Atlanta’s lineup in Week 3 after undergoing ACL surgery on his left knee in November 2025. The difference his presence makes has been stark. With Tagovailoa sidelined by an oblique injury and Penix out to start the year, third-string quarterback Cooper Rush led an offense that managed just 16 combined points over the first two weeks.
Once Penix took over in Weeks 3 and 4, Atlanta scored 80 combined points in wins over Green Bay and New Orleans, the highest total in the league over that stretch. That swing is why his rib injury status carries so much weight for the Falcons heading into Week 6, with Yahoo Sports noting the offense looks like a different unit depending on whether Penix is on the field.
What’s Next For The Falcons
Atlanta hosts Chicago on Sunday, and Penix’s practice participation this week will determine whether he gets the green light. Stefanski is expected to provide further updates on Penix’s workload as the week continues, with his limited practice snaps Wednesday serving as the first test of how the ribs respond to game-like movement.
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