Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee) on IR

The knee injury that knocked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Sunday's game has landed him on injured reserve.

The second-year starter aggravated a bone bruise in his left knee early in the third quarter of the 30-27 overtime loss to the visiting Carolina Panthers.

"We are working through the medical process to determine the severity of the injury," the team said in a statement. "He will be placed on the reserve/injured list and miss a minimum of four games."

The Falcons announced veteran Kirk Cousins will take over as the starting quarterback "at this time."

Atlanta (3-7) will attempt to halt a frustrating five-game losing streak on Sunday at New Orleans (2-8).

Penix completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards before leaving the Sunday game. Cousins was 6 of 14 for 48 yards, with neither QB throwing a touchdown or an interception.

Drafted eighth overall in 2024, Penix has made nine starts this season and completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs and three picks.

Cousins, 37, started for the injured Penix in a 34-10 home loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. In three games this season, the four-time Pro Bowl selection has completed 32 of 52 passes for 250 yards with no TDs or interceptions.

Penix has a lengthy injury. While in college at Indiana, he suffered four significant injuries -- torn ACLs in 2018 and 2022 and shoulder injuries in 2019 and 2021. He transferred to Washington and played his final two college seasons without injury.

--Field Level Media