Michael Penix expected to start for Falcons against Bears if rib recovery stays on track

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start against the Chicago Bears on Sunday after injuring a rib in Atlanta's October 11 loss to Baltimore, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday, October 14. The plan depends on how Penix progresses through practice and feels moving on the field, leaving Atlanta with a conditional answer at quarterback for its next game.

Stefanski's plan for Penix against Chicago

Stefanski said Penix would practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. The coach had not determined how many repetitions the quarterback would miss, according to the Associated Press and CBS Sports. Stefanski described Penix as feeling better, but said he wanted to see how comfortable Penix was moving on the field before the Bears game. His expectation that Penix will start rests on everything going according to plan.

Stefanski did not disclose the results of tests on Penix's rib, the AP reported. The available update therefore establishes the team's intended starter, rather than a specific diagnosis or a completed return to full practice. Wednesday's planned limited session was the next step in assessing whether Penix could play Sunday; the reporting did not establish that the session had already taken place.

Penix said he was determined to return against Chicago. According to the AP, he said he had sat out enough during his career and would work hard to get back on the field. His stated intention adds to the picture of a possible return, while Stefanski's practice assessment remains the condition attached to the starting plan.

How the rib injury affected Atlanta against Baltimore

According to CBS Sports, Penix missed the next play, briefly returned and threw an incompletion before Atlanta punted. Tua Tagovailoa subsequently replaced him, the AP reported. Penix's absence for overtime made his availability against Chicago an immediate question for the Falcons, even though he was able to come back for that brief stretch before the end of regulation.

Why Penix's availability matters to the Falcons

Penix had led Atlanta to two consecutive wins before the Baltimore defeat, which left the Falcons at 2-3, according to the AP. CBS Sports reported that Atlanta averaged 34.3 points and 428.3 total yards in Penix's first three starts this season. Those figures describe the team's production with him starting; they also help explain why his potential return is significant as Atlanta prepares for Chicago.

His season had already been interrupted. Penix missed Atlanta's first two games while recovering from a torn left ACL that ended his 2025 season. Cooper Rush started those opening games, both Falcons losses, the AP reported. Sunday's conditional plan would keep Penix in the starting role after the rib injury, subject to the assessment Stefanski outlined for practice this week.

Atlanta is also monitoring injuries elsewhere on its roster before facing Chicago. Cornerback C.J. Henderson did not practice Wednesday because of a groin injury, although Stefanski said he was improving and had not been ruled out, according to the AP. Defensive end Za'Darius Smith, inactive against Baltimore with concussion and neck issues, might not have his status determined until later in the week. Those decisions remain separate from the assessment of Penix's rib and his ability to move comfortably.