Michael Penix Jr. 'Trending' to Start vs. Bears After Rib Injury, Falcons Say — But Atlanta Will Keep Him Mon­

Stefanski told reporters that Penix is 'trending' toward a start and will take part in practice, though his reps may be curtailed. The Falconsʼ official reporting and Penixʼs own remarks indicate he 'felt good' after Wednesday's session and that MRI/imaging were described as positive by the team. Those are encouraging signs, but both Stefanski and team communications emphasized monitoring and day-to-day evaluation.

Penixʼs presence is the clearest reason the Falcons' offense has regained life this season, so a clear decision to start him makes immediate competitive sense. At the same time, his history of significant injuries and the nature of rib trauma — which can be painful and limit throwing motion even without structural damage — give the staff reason to protect him. If the Falcons reduce his snaps or simplify the playbook, that could blunt their explosiveness even while preserving long-term availability.

1) Pre-game and first-quarter snap counts: an early substitution pattern or short-yardage snaps for Tagovailoa would signal a managed workload. 2) Penixʼs mobility and deep-throw accuracy: limited movement or hesitation on longer drops would indicate lingering pain. 3) Falcons play-calling balance: a shift toward quicker passes and more designed runs would suggest the staff is trying to limit contact and high-effort throws.

Because the Falcons have a tough stretch coming — games against Chicago, San Francisco and Tampa Bay — how they handle Mondayʼs practice and in-game management could determine whether Penix is available at full strength for the next three weeks.