Michael Penix: I can’t afford to have someone trip and fall on me right now - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reported that quarterback availability was the main development on the first day of Falcons training camp. In an article by Josh Alper published July 29, 2026, the outlet said head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Tua Tagovailoa was not practicing after a recent injury, described in reports as back tightness, while Michael Penix had not yet been approved for team-period work.

The report focused on Penix’s recovery from another ACL tear. Penix said he feels capable physically, but that the team is being careful before exposing him to live traffic in practice. He emphasized that the concern is not only what he can do, but the risk of an accidental collision or another player falling into his leg during drills.

According to the NBCSports.com account, this is Penix’s third ACL tear. Penix said he had been cleared earlier in prior recoveries, but the repeated injuries have influenced the more cautious plan this time. He also said he had been told it could take roughly another four weeks before he advances to the next phase.

The timing matters because training camp reps are central to quarterback preparation and competition. NBCSports.com noted that if Penix is to make a serious push to open the season as Atlanta’s starter, that timeline would probably need to move faster. The report did not state that any final quarterback decision had been made.