Atlanta rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made a noteworthy debut, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards during the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night. This game marked the preseason opener for both teams.
Penix, who was drafted eighth overall after a successful career at Washington, started the game and played through the first five drives. His longest completion came midway through the first quarter, connecting with receiver Chris Blair for a 41-yard pass down the sideline.
Throughout the game, Penix led two drives that resulted in scoring. The first was a 39-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo, followed by a 1-yard touchdown run by Carlos Washington. Taylor Heinicke took over for Penix with 6:40 left in the second quarter.
Notably absent for Miami were veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Tagovailoa recently signed a four-year extension, while Hill’s contract was restructured during training camp.
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders successfully converted field goals from 58 and 47 yards, helping Miami secure a lead with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter. Skylar Thompson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson Jr. tied the game at 10, followed by a 6-yard touchdown run from Jaylen Wright after linebacker Isaiah Mack recovered a fumbled snap from Heinicke.
In the third quarter, both Sanders and Koo added field goals. The Falcons faced difficulties in the fourth quarter, turning the ball over on downs twice inside the Miami 10-yard line.
Looking ahead, the Falcons plan to have Penix serve as a backup to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year deal in the offseason. It remains uncertain whether Cousins will take snaps during the preseason as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the final nine games of the previous season. However, Cousins has been participating in Atlanta’s training camp, including two joint practices with Miami at the Dolphins’ facility earlier this week.
While Penix made his debut, Dolphins’ first-round pick and edge rusher Chop Robinson did not dress for the game.
