October 1, 2026
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr.'s return comes at a time when the winless Atlanta Falcons need someone to provide a jolt for their lifeless offense.
Atlanta’s offense couldn’t reach the red zone as the Falcons opened the season with losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were the first team since the Rams in 2008 not to run any plays from inside an opponent’s 20-yard line through the first two games of a season.
Penix is now back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The 26-year-old quarterback is ready to play his first game since Nov. 16 on Thursday night as the Falcons visit the Green Bay Packers.
“I’ve been working extremely hard to get to this point,” Penix said. “Man, this has been a long journey.”
Atlanta (0-2) needs the boost that Penix will try to provide.
Cooper Rush and Jack Strand threw a combined five interceptions with one touchdown pass — a 23-yarder from Rush to Bijan Robinson in Week 1 — while Penix worked his way back.
The Packers expect to face a more capable Atlanta offense now that Penix is back.
“He’s a quarterback that’s gone in there and played really solid football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So I would bet that their offense is going to look a little bit different Thursday night.”
Green Bay (1-1) has concerns of its own.
All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL, and running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list. Wide receiver Jayden Reed and offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele were carted off the field during the Packers’ 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Bako-Bewele tore his patellar tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Reed’s potential return from a neck injury is unknown.
The injury to Bako-Bewele creates more adversity for an offensive line that hasn’t established a rhythm yet. Left guard Aaron Banks also won't be available Thursday because of knee and toe issues.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love says all those injuries up front shouldn’t change the expectations.
“I expect those guys to go out there and put their best foot forward and give me time to be able to go out there and try dicing a defense up,” Love said. “That’s the expectations, whoever’s out there. Nothing changes.”
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