Michael Penix Jr. suffered a rib injury on the final drive of the fourth quarter during the Atlanta Falcons' 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Penix went down while attempting a pass with the game tied 23-23. He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa for one play but was temporarily able to return in the dying moments of regulation.
However, the Falcons went with Tagovailoa under center in the final minutes of overtime after the Ravens scored a touchdown. Penix was looked at by doctors on the sideline while in visible discomfort.
Michael Penix Jr. said he was working through it on the sideline. Felt discomfort. Said he was feeling like if the Falcons took the ball out first in OT that he probably could have gone back in. But as the BAL drive went on he got cold and the pain/soreness set in.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 12, 2026
Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski said postgame that Penix tried to play in overtime but couldn't get comfortable enough to return, according to team reporter Tori McElhaney.
"We will know more once we get imaging done," Stefanski said.
Penix said that his injury isn't "season-ending," according to Justin Felder of Fox 5 Sports.
Tagovailoa, who competed for the starting role with Penix during training camp, threw an interception on his second pass attempt of overtime to end the game and drop Atlanta to 2-3.
