Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left Sunday night's 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens late due to a rib injury but said he does not expect it to be long term. Penix was sacked by linebacker Tavius Robinson with 27 seconds left and the score tied, stayed down briefly, then walked off under his own power. Backup Tua Tagovailoa entered for one play before Penix returned, but he did not come back after the game went into overtime as the pain worsened while sitting on the bench during a long Ravens drive.
Penix said he would have returned if the Falcons had gotten the ball to start overtime. He expressed frustration at missing the big moment but emphasized his desire to be on the field. Penix just returned in Week 3 from left ACL surgery, his third ACL procedure overall after tearing his right ACL twice in college.
The Falcons' offense struggled early with both Penix and Tagovailoa (oblique) injured, but scored 80 points combined in his first two starts after his return. On Sunday, before the injury, Penix was 19-of-32 for 240 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Running back Bijan Robinson said he hopes the injury is minor, possibly just a bruise, and that the whole team is praying for Penix's quick recovery.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing