The Atlanta Falcons are preparing to face the New Orleans Saints in a rivalry matchup this Sunday, with several key developments impacting their roster and performance.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a partially torn ACL in his left knee that requires surgery. Head coach Raheem Morris stated as of Wednesday that Penix had not yet undergone reconstructive surgery. The expected recovery period is at least nine months, sidelining Penix as he finishes his second professional season on injured reserve.
Tori McElhaney wrote, “All of this puts the Falcons in a position they hoped — and planned — to avoid.”
Kirk Cousins will take over as starting quarterback. In response to these changes, Easton Stick has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, and Kyle Trask was signed to fill Stick’s previous spot on the practice squad.
“Obviously got a good opportunity against the Saints this week,” Cousins said Wednesday. “But wanted to just acknowledge how tough the injury is for Michael. My heart breaks for him. He’s someone who has handled adversity so well through his football journey, and unfortunately, he’s having to do it again. But I’m very confident he has a lot of good football ahead of him. … And yeah, we’re just looking forward to getting to go against the Saints and trying to get back on track here and get things going in the right direction.”
Wide receiver Drake London will also be unavailable for Sunday’s game after being listed as week-to-week with a PCL sprain.
The only positive injury update involves inside linebacker Divine Deablo, who may return after being placed on injured reserve with a forearm fracture. The team opened his 21-day window for return; Morris expressed optimism about Deablo’s availability: “Assuming everything goes well,” Morris said, “he should be back playing.”
Billy Bowman Jr., another player on the roster, was added Friday with an Achilles injury; initial reports suggest this is not favorable news for the rookie.
In London’s absence, there are concerns regarding depth among wide receivers. Terrin Waack reported that London’s 60 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns outpace all other wide receivers combined (who have tallied 35 catches for 447 yards without any touchdowns). Darnell Mooney is among those expected to step up during this stretch.
“I’d love to see (Mooney) really be able to take off here in the last stretch of the year,” Cousins said this week.
As Week 12 approaches, experts have weighed in with predictions on Sunday’s outcome between these long-time rivals. If Atlanta wins, they would tie their all-time regular season series against New Orleans (currently at 55-56). This would also mark the first road win by either team since Week 1 of 2022.
Rookie defenders Jalon Walker (4 sacks) and James Pearce Jr. (2.5 sacks) have become notable contributors; both rank among top rookies in sacks league-wide—a feat matched only once before by Falcons rookies since official sack tracking began in 1982.
Additionally, Atlanta has scored touchdowns on ten consecutive red zone drives; one more would match their longest streak from September 2018.
Sunday’s game coincides with “My Cause My Cleats” day across the NFL—an initiative where players wear custom cleats supporting personal causes. Will McFadden highlighted Jalon Walker’s support for awareness around Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), which affects someone close to him.
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