Raheem Morris Offers Insight on Michael Penix Jr.’s Status Ahead of Patriots Showdown
The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up to face the New England Patriots in Week 9, seeking to bounce back from a pair of disappointing losses. A key storyline heading into this matchup is the potential return of second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who missed the previous game against the Miami Dolphins due to injury.
Penix’s Progress Sparks Optimism
Head coach Raheem Morris provided an encouraging update on Penix’s condition, noting that the young quarterback is making progress. While he remains “day-to-day,” Morris expressed optimism about Penix’s return.
“Michael is in the building, obviously in meetings,” Morris stated on Wednesday. “He’ll go out there today and do the walk-through. We’ll get a chance to get a feel for what he can do in practice, if he can do anything. But obviously, he feels better than he did last week. It’s a bone bruise, and that stuff gets better every day.”
During the open practice session on Wednesday, Penix was seen participating, and his full availability will be confirmed when the injury report is released later in the week. Morris hinted at a possible increase in Penix’s involvement, saying, “I feel like you’re going to get more Michael this week. We got a lot of Kirk [Cousins] last week.”
Kirk Cousins’ Performance Under Scrutiny
In Penix’s absence, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins took the reins in the Falcons’ 34-10 loss to Miami. Unfortunately, Cousins’ performance was lackluster; he managed only 173 passing yards, and the Falcons struggled to find the end zone until the game was well out of reach in the fourth quarter.
Zac Robinson, the Falcons’ quarterbacks coach, acknowledged the need for improvement around Cousins. “I’m sure he’d be the first to tell you he can play better,” he noted. “We have to play better around him is the biggest thing.”
With the pressure mounting, Morris emphasized that the entire team must step up as they prepare for the Patriots. “The whole team has to be ready to go,” Morris asserted. “Getting the ability to go out there today and get a better feel for what Michael’s going to be, especially with the situation that we have going on, I feel great about that.”
Looking Ahead to Game Day
As the week progresses, the Falcons’ injury report will provide further clarity on Penix’s status. The decision of who will start under center remains uncertain, but Morris’s comments suggest that the coaching staff is hopeful for Penix’s return, which could be crucial for the Falcons as they look to regain momentum in the season.
