Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that Michael Penix Jr. is cleared to start at quarterback for the upcoming Sunday matchup against the Chicago Bears. After a brief knock‑out late in the Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Penix returned to the field but sat out overtime due to rib discomfort. An MRI performed earlier this week showed no lingering damage, and Penix has participated fully in practice all week.
Injury update and game‑plan confidence
Stefanski said he does not expect the Falcons to need any special rib protection for Penix on Sunday and does not anticipate altering the offensive game plan. “He’s on track to start, barring any setback,” the coach told reporters. Penix, who made his 2026 debut in Week 3 and helped Atlanta secure its first win of the season, has already thrown for 719 yards and three touchdowns this year.
In the first two victories, Penix combined with running back Bijan Robinson for a league‑high 80 points, highlighting the quarterback’s growing chemistry with the offense. The quarterback’s injury history, including a recent ACL tear in November, was noted, but Stefanski expressed confidence in Penix’s readiness.
Bears quarterback status remains uncertain
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, a former Heisman Trophy winner, continues to sit out with a hamstring injury that has kept him from the past three games. Bears head coach Ben Johnson listed Williams as a “full participant” on the injury report for two consecutive days, but the decision on his availability for the Sunday game has not been made.
Williams told reporters, “Before you start asking, I don’t know if I’m playing yet. Have to go through a bunch of medical protocols, obviously have to get out there and practice, do the stress testing that you do when you’re trying to come back from injury or serious injury.” He also criticized media reports, saying they have been inaccurate about the severity of his hamstring tear.
What to expect Sunday
With Penix cleared, the Falcons will likely stick with the offensive strategy that has produced high scoring outputs early in the season. The Bears, meanwhile, will decide whether to start Williams or rely on their backup quarterback, a decision that could influence the game’s tempo and defensive matchups.
Fans in Atlanta can look forward to a competitive contest at the Falcons’ home stadium, with both teams seeking to improve their early‑season records. The outcome will also provide further insight into Penix’s durability and Williams’ recovery timeline.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
