The Falcons are gearing up for a highly anticipated season, one that grew exponentially more exciting in the last week with the additions of Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons, but headlines surround Raheem Morris’ decision not to play Michael Penix Jr. in the preseason.
The Falcons saw Bralen Trice and DeMarrco Hellams go down with injuries in the first preseason game, and it’s clear that Morris isn’t taking any risk whatsoever, evident in the lack of participants in their second preseason contest.
Essentially, every starter or rotational player sat out for the Falcons against the Ravens. Even though the expectation is for Kirk Cousins to start every single game and Penix to get no meaningful snaps in the regular season, Morris included the rookie quarterback among those who won’t be put in harm’s way.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on the decision NOT to play Michael Penix Jr. in Week 2 of the preseason… 🔊
"You don't get mulligans if you do get a player hurt." @AtlantaFalcons @heykayadams @themikepenix #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/zRfKTholsy
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 19, 2024
To a certain extent, I understand where he’s coming from, but the fact of the matter is the Falcons don’t plan on playing Michael Penix Jr. at all. So, what’s the point of holding him out? Protecting him for 2025? 2026?
The Falcons have a way of doing things under Raheem Morris, and he may deserve the benefit of the doubt, but injuries happen in practice just as much as the preseason, and you can’t replicate live action experience compared to a simulated experience in practice.
Development is never linear in the NFL, especially at the quarterback position. Reps are invaluable, and deciding to limit the opportunities to mitigate injury is a poor approach for a backup quarterback, at least in my estimation.
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Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire
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