Atlanta Falcons announce Michael Penix Jr. won’t play again in preseason

The Atlanta Falcons have seen enough from Michael Penix Jr. and won’t play him again in the preseason.

It only took one half of football for Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to become a believer in Michael Penix Jr., who was a surprise inactive in Atlanta’s second preseason game on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.

“Mike showed us enough last week that we don’t have to play him again in the preseason,” Morris told Falcons beat writer Terrin Waack.

The former Washington Huskies star went 9 for 16 for 104 yards during his one appearance against the Miami Dolphins but did enough to supplant himself as Kirk Cousins’ backup, as the 35-year-old veteran continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season.

“It was fun to see him go out there and execute some of the pass plays and we were able to get some of the stuff done,” Morris said after the Dolphins game. “Pretty much, a really good night for him and I was really pleased with what he was able to do.”

If Cousins isn’t ready to start the year, Atlanta seems prepared to turn to Penix when the regular season begins on September 8, when the Falcons are scheduled to begin the year at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.