Michael Penix Jr. returned to the field Tuesday, throwing to wide receiver Drake London at the Atlanta Falcons’ facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, the Falcons posted in a video, and a team spokesperson said Penix is participating in Phase 2 of the team’s offseason program.
According to NFL rules, Phase 2 permits individual and group instruction and drills but does not allow full team practices such as 11-on-11 or 7-on-7s, the report says. Penix’s work at the facility was limited to those types of activities rather than full team sessions.
Six months after tearing his left ACL, Penix was shut down for the rest of the season and underwent surgery a few weeks later, the report says. The injury, suffered Nov. 16 against the Carolina Panthers, was his third torn ACL in eight years; he previously tore his right ACL twice while in college, per the report.
The Falcons signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in March after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, and new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has said there will be a quarterback competition once Penix is healthy, the report says. Penix has told interviewers he will be ready for Week 1, but the team has not provided a specific timetable.
The report says Penix’s participation in Phase 2 is an indication his rehabilitation is on schedule. Since the Falcons drafted him No. 8 in 2024, Penix has completed 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in two abbreviated seasons and has 12 career starts.
