Falcons brief key injuries after another disastrous loss.
With the weight of another crushing loss bearing down on the Falcons, the day after added more weight on the team’s collective shoulders, as the ramifications of the team’s fifth consecutive loss became apparent.
Today, the team learned that Michael Penix Jr., who sustained a left knee injury during yesterday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, would likely be out for at least four of the remaining seven games in the regular season schedule. He will go on injury reserve and will get a second medical opinion on the injury on Tuesday. His injury could be season-ending, according to various reports.
As a result, Kirk Cousins will once again be the team’s starting quarterback.
“Hurting for the young man, especially with how well he was playing at the beginning of that football game, really finding his groove,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris in a press conference today. “I liked his week of preparation. I like the way he went through everything. I like how he was prepared at a very high level. I like how he took a lot of ownership of it last week and really was ready to have a bounce-back week. It’s heartbreaking for him to go out and get hurt.”
He did not confirm reports Penix Jr. has a partially torn ACL, as some reports stated.
Drake London, who also sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s game, was confirmed to have a PCL injury. He will be “week to week” according to Morris. He, too, could be out of action for a significant portion of the season, beginning with the upcoming Saints game in New Orleans this Sunday.
The Falcons are likely to miss London and his impactful playmaking abilities.
“You’re definitely going to miss Drake,” said Morris. “Obviously, he’s been super productive. He’s been outstanding for us all year. He’s an emotional leader for us. He’s our barnyard bully. He’s a tough guy, and he certainly will be missed.”
Receivers David Sills and Darnell Mooney are likely to fill the void left by London.
The Falcons did get some measure of good news. Linebacker Divine Deablo could be back on the field as soon as Sunday to play the Saints. “Assuming everything goes well,” said Morris. He was put out of action after a Week 8 left forearm fracture. Morris also said that LG Matthew Bergeron could also be back for Week 12.
Morris added that it was “fair to say that” the Falcons offense will have to rely more on its run game due to the Penix Jr / London injuries.
by Brian Allen, editor.
