The Falcons’ season somehow found a new low with Michael Penix Jr.’s latest knee injury. The second-year quarterback went down in the overtime loss to the Panthers, re-aggravating the same left knee that already cost him time earlier in the year.
Per multiple reports, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the damage could end his 2025 season and includes partial ACL involvement after a previous bone bruise. At 3-7, with their franchise QB and top receiver Drake London both banged up and no 2026 first-round pick after trading it to move back into Round 1, Atlanta’s nightmare campaign looks even darker.
Into that mess steps Kirk Cousins, who now has to steer a team trending nowhere and short-handed. Speaking with ESPN after the Panthers' loss, Cousins didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
He said there is “no magic formula,” just getting back to work, trusting his preparation, and believing hard stretches don’t last if tough people keep pushing. It was as close as you’ll get to a veteran admitting that style points are gone; the only option is to grind and hope performance eventually catches up.
The numbers underline how steep the climb is. Cousins went 6-of-14 for 48 yards in relief against Carolina, posting a 29.9 QBR. Head coach Raheem Morris still backed him publicly, reminding reporters that Cousins has started a ton of games in this league, “got us off to a nice start last year,” and now has another chance to run the huddle. The message from the building is clear: whatever is left of this season will go as the veteran quarterback goes.
The broader context makes the task even heavier. Penix was completing just over 60 percent of his throws with 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three picks, solid if not spectacular growth for a second-year starter.
Losing him, plus London’s production as a 60-catch, 800-plus-yard, six-touchdown weapon, strips Atlanta of its offensive core. A recent five-game skid has effectively buried their playoff hopes and pushed Morris’ overall record to 15-23.
Inside the locker room, players like Bijan Robinson have admitted how critical it is to block out social media and avoid letting outside noise fracture the group.
So Cousins’ “no magic formula” line cuts both ways. There is no quick fix for a roster hammered by injuries, light on draft capital, and stuck in close losses. But his presence, his backing of Morris, and his willingness to own the grind are all the Falcons really have left as they limp into a rivalry trip to New Orleans trying to salvage pride, if not the season.
