FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has played in one pre-season game for the Atlanta Falcons.
That’s enough for coach Raheem Morris.
Penix, the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft and the Falcons’ quarterback of the future, did not play in last weekend’s game at Baltimore. He will sit again in the pre-season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday night.
The decision to give Penix limited playing time has raised plenty of eyebrows, especially since starter Kirk Cousins isn’t playing at all in the pre-season as he returns from an Achilles tendon injury.
But Morris said he’s seen enough of Penix in practice, including two joint workouts with the Miami Dolphins, to evaluate his progress. The coach doesn’t want to risk an injury in an exhibition contest.
“You’ve seen the amount of reps that Michael’s been able to get without really taking away from our starter,” Morris told reporters on Monday. “He’s got a huge amount of reps versus our starting defense. And I feel really good about where he’s going and what he’s going to develop.”
The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency, a deal that includes $100 million in guaranteed money. Then, in a stunning move, they used their first pick to draft Penix, saying he was too good to pass up.
Cousins, who turned 36 on Monday, is the starter for now. But it’s clear the Falcons are grooming a path for Penix to eventually take over the No. 1 job.
While it would seem logical to give Penix an extended look during the pre-season, Morris said there’s no need. He said the team would have another chance to evaluate the rookie when the team holds an intrasquad scrimmage on Wednesday.
“I could play him a little bit more if I needed something else,” Morris said. ”But I don’t feel that way. And I don’t think any of the people that I would talk to in that circle of trust would feel that way or we’d be playing him a little bit more.”
In his lone pre-season appearance, Penix completed nine of 16 passes for 104 yards against the Dolphins, with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke and undrafted rookie John Paddock took all the snaps against the Ravens, and that will be the case again on Friday.
Morris said it’s all about getting to the regular season as healthy as possible, especially after two Atlanta players went down with season-ending injuries during training camp.
“Michael’s role is really clear on what we want to see,” the coach said. “He’s done a great job of getting better throughout this process.”