Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. resumed throwing at OTAs this week, six months after tearing his left ACL in Week 11 of the 2025 season.
The Atlanta Falcons are currently in Phase 2 of their offseason program and posted a video of Penix throwing passes to wide receiver Drake London during OTA workouts.
Penix previously said he expects to be ready for Week 1, although the Falcons have not announced an official timetable for his return.
Pro Football Doc Analysis
Dr. David Chao said Penix’s return to throwing is an encouraging step, but cautioned that quarterback recovery from ACL surgery extends beyond non-contact drills.
“Throwing in a non-contact setting is much different than operating at full game speed,” Chao said. “He’s making good progress, but it’s still not a given that he’ll be the Week 1 starter.”
He also compared Penix’s recovery to former San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who famously played through a torn ACL during the 2007 AFC Championship Game. Rivers returned to practice roughly 100 days after surgery but was not fully recovered at that stage.
Falcons QB Competition
Atlanta also signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason following his March release from the Miami Dolphins.
New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said there will be a quarterback competition once Penix is fully healthy.
Penix’s recovery timeline will be one of the key storylines of Atlanta’s offseason as he competes for the starting quarterback job entering training camp.
Michael Penix Jr. ACL Injury History
2018 (Right ACL): Tore his right ACL during his freshman season at Indiana University Bloomington, missing most of the year.
2020 (Right ACL): Re-tore the same right ACL against Maryland, ending his season.
2025 (Left ACL): Tore his left ACL during Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers.
