Following a brutal Week 11 divisional loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons are forced to confront the one truth this season has tried (and failed) to ignore: everything Atlanta wants to become hinges on whether Michael Penix Jr. can stay on the field.
And right now, that answer looks shakier than ever. Penix was playing well through three quarters, going 13-of-16 for 175 yards as the Falcons were in clear control of the game.
Then with 5:22 left in the third quarter, Penix got hit hard on a third-down pass that ultimately led to him being placed on injured reserve .