Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. returns to full 11-on-11 work
After a stretch of limitations, Penix was cleared to take part in full team periods Monday, a meaningful step in his camp progression under Kevin Stefanski.
Michael Penix Jr. is back to full work. The Falcons quarterback returned to 11-on-11 periods in Monday's practice — his first full-team action in a stretch where he'd been limited — and by all accounts looked like himself doing it.
D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoLED): #Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. shined in his return to full practice - WR Jahan Dotson: 'We got to see him in 11-on-11 action today and that was good'
Head coach Kevin Stefanski called it a big step for Penix, who got the green light to participate in the full team periods after his recent limitations. "This is a big step for Mike, and he is excited for it," Stefanski said. Penix's return to live 11-on-11 is the closest thing the team has to game conditions in camp, and getting those reps now matters more than ever with the opener approaching.
Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney): "This is a big step for Mike, and he is excited for it," Kevin Stefanski on Michael Penix Jr. getting the green light to participate in full 11-on-11 periods in practice today.
The timing lines up with Atlanta working its quarterbacks into a fuller rhythm: earlier Monday the staff had Penix and Tua Tagovailoa splitting first-team reps, and Stefanski indicated starters — Penix included — would see a healthy dose of full-speed work this week, with the exact load to be settled as the days go on. For a Falcons offense that has been easing its signal-caller back, Monday was the clearest sign yet that the plan is back on schedule.