FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarter Michael Penix Jr. will have season-ending surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The Falcons announced Penix’s surgery plans Wednesday, two days after saying he would be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games. The team said Penix has a partially torn ligament in the knee.
The loss of Penix leaves veteran Kirk Cousins as the starter for the remainder of the season as the Falcons (3-7) prepare to play at New Orleans on Sunday.
But Cousins will have one less weapon against the Saints after wideout Drake London was ruled out by coach Raheem Morris on Wednesday.
London — the Falcons’ leader in receptions (60), yards receiving (810), and receiving touchdowns (6) on the season — left in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss with a PCL issue in his left knee.
Penix suffered the injury in Sunday’s 30-27 overtime loss to Carolina, extending the Falcons’ losing streak to five games.
Penix had two ACL surgeries on his right knee during his college career.
