Kevin Stefanski “very, very pleased” with where Michael Penix is in ACL recovery

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix has still not been fully cleared to return from his November ACL tear, but the team thinks Penix is exactly where he needs to be at this point in his recovery.

That’s the word from Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski, who said he believes Penix is gaining confidence by doing individual drills and will eventually get even more confident in the offense once he’s cleared for full-team work.

“I’m very, very confident in where we are with Mike,” Stefanski said. “I think he’s doing a great job. I’m confident in the plan that medical has for Mike, that Mike has in everything we’re asking him to do. I think confidence comes from all of these reps, and when he’s cleared for 11-on-11, confidence comes from those reps as well. Very, very pleased with where Mike is.”

The Falcons are still saying Penix has a shot at winning the starting job for Week One, but realistically, Tua Tagovailoa will almost certainly be the starter when the season begins, no matter how confident Stefanski is that Penix is getting ready at the right pace.