Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was a notable absence in Week 2 of the preseason and head coach Raheem Morris had a questionable response when requested why.
Per Falcons.com senior reporter Tori McElhaney, Morris stated that Penix had “confirmed the teaching employees sufficient in that first preseason recreation in Miami that they did not really feel the necessity to play him at present.”
You may be asking your self, “How is it potential for a staff to see all it wants from a rookie quarterback in 16 go makes an attempt?”
And that might be honest.
Penix went 9-of-16 for 104 yards in Week 1 of the preseason in opposition to the Dolphins. He posted a 76 passer score, the bottom amongst 2024 first-round quarterbacks.
In accordance with Morris, he seemingly did sufficient to earn the No. 2 job behind starter Kirk Cousins. However that makes the choice to bench him in opposition to the Ravens much more confounding.
It is common for a starter to take a seat throughout the preseason, however a staff deciding in opposition to taking part in its high two quarterbacks is weird.
Backups want all of the reps they will get, notably a rookie like Penix, who was inconsistent in his first preseason motion.
He should not obtain many snaps within the common season except Cousins, who’s coming off a torn Achilles, suffers one other harm.
In that case, Penix would possibly discover himself behind the curve due to his lack of preseason snaps.
Different rookie quarterbacks — together with Caleb Williams (Bears) and Drake Maye (Patriots) — obtained vital taking part in time in Week 2, whereas Bo Nix (Broncos) will begin Sunday in opposition to the Packers.
The Falcons missed a golden alternative to let Penix lead the offense in a game-setting for one of many few instances he would possibly have the ability to this yr. If he is thrust into regular-season motion, Penix will not be as ready as he might have been.
