FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Michael Penix Jr. said Tuesday he finally began feeling healthy enough to play in a game late last week and had his rising confidence confirmed when his surgically repaired left knee reacted well to a strenuous workout on Saturday.
“You know, I’m going to war with my brothers, so it’s very exciting when you make the final decision.
“I’m very excited, you know, obviously excited to be able to be out there,” Penix said following Tuesday’s practice. When asked if he had been targeting the Week 3 game at Green Bay, Penix said “being healthy” was his only target.
So that’s really kind of what helped me with that decision, my workout on Saturday, and just pushing to the limit and seeing what I can take. “He’s moved in the pocket. He’s gotten outside of the pocket. Rush struggled with accuracy and arm strength against Carolina. The Falcons are looking to better utilize wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, who have a combined seven receptions through two games.
Penix said he had still been experiencing some soreness in the knee until last week. The conversation followed what Penix described as “a big workout” after he had been ruled out of the game against Carolina. Penix said Saturday’s workout was designed “just to see how my knee reacted from a big workout and it was good. Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said Tuesday that Penix has “looked sharp without any limitations” in practice. Rees said arm strength shouldn’t be an issue for the left-handed Penix.
He said he spoke with coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday. Penix said when he felt no soreness on Sunday, he spoke with Stefanski to talk about how his knee had felt better through the week. Penix said he decided then he would be ready to play against the Packers but spoke with Stefanski again on Monday “just to obviously solidify that.
