Michael Penix Jr. joins Falcons drills as he continues his comeback from 2025 knee injury

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr. opened Monday's practice by taking the first snap at quarterback in his initial exposure to team drills this preseason.

It's too early to know what that means for Penix's chances to take the first regular-season snap for the Atlanta Falcons.

Coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't looking ahead to the quarterback competition or even Friday night's final preseason game at Miami. Stefanski said he was focused only on seeing Penix make it through Monday's practice, the latest step in the QB's recovery from the injury to his left knee that ended his 2025 season.

“It’s just good to have him back on the field, seeing him doing good, smiling, making plays,” offensive tackle Wanya Morris said.

Penix showed no sign of being limited in the practice.

If Penix plays at Miami on Friday night, it would launch his much-anticipated competition with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job.

Stefanski said starters will play on Friday night. When asked if Penix is part of that plan, Stefanski said, “You know, I want to get through today. Obviously it’s Mike’s first time back out there. I’m excited for him.”

Stefanski announced after Saturday's 34-6 preseason win at Indianapolis that Penix had received medical clearance to participate in team drills. Before Monday, Penix had been limited to individual work and seven-on-seven drills.

The move to 11-on-11 drills was crucial for Penix. Playing on Friday night would be another step.

“We are evaluating everything, evaluating every drill and those types of things,” Stefanski said. “But 11 on 11 is the closest approximation to football and those preseason games are games and they’re keeping score and those types things. ... So this is a big step for Mike and he’s excited.”

Tagovailoa struggled in joint practices with the Colts last week and, like most starters, sat out Saturday's game.

Penix was not available for interviews on Monday. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson said having Penix in team drills was “a step in the right direction for him.”

“You guys see it; he has a rocket for an arm,” Dotson said. “I'm excited for him, I know he’s gone through a tough journey. Any injury is a tough journey, so it’s good to see him on the opposite side of that.”

After Penix threw incomplete to Chris Blair on the first play of practice, Tagovailoa was first in line when quarterbacks were given series of plays in team drills. Penix followed with his first full series and completed a pass to Drake London along with two more incompletions. He completed three of four passes on his next series.

Meanwhile, Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand have been competing for the No. 3 job. Rush completed 10 of 11 passes for 86 yards and Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards with a touchdown while also running for a score against the Colts.

“I thought both Coop and Jack did a nice job of taking what was there,” Stefanski said. “I thought the ball went where the ball was supposed to go most of the time.”

Strand (6-foot-5, 240 pounds), from Minnesota State-Moorhead, has been perhaps the surprise of training camp. Stefanski said Strand “has room to grow but when the quarterback position is playing it on time and the ball’s going where it’s supposed to, that’s what it should look like.”

When asked if Strand has shown enough to be considered a contender to start, Stefanski said, “We’re not going to put those type of things out there for our guys to worry about. He’s got to keep his focus on the day to day. ... Jack’s gonna work with the twos and threes and we're very excited about his development.”

Strand said his expectations have “definitely not” changed.

“I just want to be the best football player that I can be, able to help the team whatever way possible,” Strand said.

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