The Atlanta Falcons are dealing with several injuries ahead of their Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints. On Wednesday, the team placed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on injured reserve due to a partially torn ACL in his left knee. Penix will require surgery and is out for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Raheem Morris addressed the situation, stating, “We’ll have Kirk (Cousins), obviously, he’s our starting quarterback, going out there and playing for us. We’ll sign Easton Stick to the active roster, get him acclimated and all the things that we gotta get done for him to get on an active roster. And we’ll sign Kyle Trask to our practice squad, bringing him in (Wednesday), doing some of those things to move forward, to continue the rest of the season in order to go find a way to get a win, get a win this week.”
Penix was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report because he was still technically on the active roster at the start of the league day before being moved to injured reserve.
Morris also provided an update on wide receiver Drake London. London suffered a knee injury late in last Sunday’s loss against Carolina and has been described as “week to week.” Morris clarified London’s status: “Yeah, usually when I say week to week, I mean, hopefully next week,” Morris said. “I don’t think he’ll be going this week.” The head coach confirmed that London’s injury involves his PCL.
London did not participate in Wednesday’s practice session.
Inside linebacker Divine Deablo returned to practice after being sidelined with a fractured forearm four weeks ago. His 21-day window has opened for possible promotion back to the active roster. Morris commented earlier in the week: “Assuming everything goes well,” Morris said Monday, “he should be back playing.” Deablo participated on a limited basis and wore protective gear on his left arm during practice.
Other players listed as full participants included cornerback Mike Hughes (neck). Limited participants were inside linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm), safety Jessie Bates III (resting), edge rusher Jalon Walker (resting), cornerbacks Dee Alford (concussion), A.J. Terrell Jr. (resting), Billy Bowman Jr. (resting), inside linebacker Malik Verdon (shoulder), defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus (oblique), edge rusher Leonard Floyd (hamstring) and guard Matthew Bergeron (ankle).
Players who did not participate were wide receiver Drake London (knee), quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee), safety Xavier Watts (illness), inside linebacker Josh Woods (hamstring), guard Chris Lindstrom (foot) and defensive lineman Zach Harrison (knee).
