Falcons QB Penix (ACL) out for season, WR London out vs. Saints - ESPN

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered a partially torn left ACL and will need season-ending surgery, the team announced Wednesday.

Penix took a hit in the third quarter Sunday against the Carolina Panthers and injured his knee. He was removed from the game and replaced by veteran Kirk Cousins, who will be the Falcons' starting quarterback for the rest of this season. The Falcons (3-7) travel to face the division rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Cousins' receiving corps will be short-handed this weekend. Falcons coach Raheem Morris said wide receiver Drake London will be out against the Saints with a PCL injury in his left knee. London injured his knee in the 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers. It will be the second game London has missed this season.

Before coming out of that Carolina game, London had seven catches for 119 yards. It was his third straight game going over 100 yards and his fifth 100-yard game in the past six Falcons contests. His previous career high for 100-yard games was three last season. London is tied for seventh in the NFL in receptions (60), fifth in receiving yards (810) and tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns (6).

Morris said he has no timetable for Penix's return, though he said it would be «hard to say no» when asked if Penix would be the team's Week 1 starter in 2026. Morris said he has spoken with Penix and he has been in good spirits.

«Obviously, everybody's different… but it was really positive news from all the doctors that looked at it,» Morris said.

Penix completed 60.1% of his passes this season for 1,982 yards with nine touchdown passes and three interceptions. He ran for one touchdown.

Although the hope is that Penix will be back next