Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) is attended to by medical staff in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

When you thought the Atlanta Falcons' season couldn't get much worse for the product on the field and its fans, well, think again! It just got much, much worse.

After suffering a knee injury in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers, we have learned that Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will now be placed on injured reserve and will miss a minimum of four games. However, Atlanta may shut him down for the rest of the season due to it being a wash and his history of knee injuries.

The Atlanta Falcons did clarify that he could have a chance of returning by issuing the following statement: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a left-knee injury in Sunday’s game against Carolina. We are working through the medical process to determine the severity of the injury. He will be placed on the reserve/injured list and miss a minimum of four games. With the move, Kirk Cousins will assume the starting quarterback role for the Falcons at this time.

The Atlanta Falcons will also be without wide receiver Drake London in Week 12, if not longer. London would strain his PCL on Sunday. Falcons fans are heartbroken at how this team has performed after being expected to make a run at a division title and the team's first playoff appearance since 2017. The Falcons' coaching staff has taken the brunt of the criticism on social media. Mathematically, Atlanta hasn't been officially eliminated, but the writing is on the wall.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: A season in crisis for the Atlanta Falcons just took a much worse turn

Reporting by Josh Petry, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect