Penix expected to start against Bears as Falcons manage rib injury

Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start against the Bears on Sunday, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday, provided the quarterback’s recovery from a rib injury goes according to plan.

Penix is set for limited practice work to begin the week. Stefanski said the quarterback is feeling better but declined to describe the injury in greater detail, leaving his workload dependent on how he responds.

The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s overtime loss to Baltimore. Penix tried to work through it on the sideline but ultimately could not return for the extra period. Tua Tagovailoa took over and threw an interception that ended Atlanta’s final possession.

Stefanski’s Wednesday comments give the Falcons a starting plan after that uncertainty. They remain conditional: the team must get through the practice week without a setback. Limited work is a participation plan, rather than a declaration that Penix has no remaining symptoms.

Penix’s availability matters to an offense that improved sharply when he returned earlier this season. Atlanta scored a combined 16 points in Weeks 1-2 and 80 in Weeks 3-4, NFL.com reported. The Falcons are 2-3 entering the Chicago game.

The team’s own report credits Penix with a 67.5% completion rate and ranks him second among qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt and yards per completion. Those numbers explain why Atlanta is working toward keeping its starter on the field while monitoring the rib injury.

Chicago also has a quarterback decision to make as Caleb Williams works back from a hamstring injury. The Bears plan full estimated participation for Williams in Wednesday’s walkthrough, while coach Ben Johnson says the starting situation remains fluid.

For Atlanta, the current expectation is Penix under center Sunday. His response to this week’s work will determine whether that plan holds.

Sources

Falcons: Penix expected to start · NFL.com reports Stefanski’s Wednesday update · NFL: Bears keep Williams starting decision open