Atlanta rookie and Tampa native Michael Penix Jr. made a promising debut, completing 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night, marking the preseason opener for both teams.
Penix, a standout from Washington and the eighth overall draft pick, started the game and commanded the first five drives. His highlight of the night was a 41-yard completion to receiver Chris Blair down the sideline, coming midway through the first quarter. “It was fun to be out there competing with my brothers,” Penix said. “I’ve been playing the game since I was 5 years old. No nerves. No jitters. I was just ready to go.”
Under Penix’s direction, the Falcons scored on two drives—Younghoe Koo’s 39-yard field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run by Carlos Washington. Taylor Heinicke took over for Penix with 6:40 left in the second quarter. Reflecting on his performance, Penix shared, “There are definitely things I want to improve on. I felt I executed the offense as best as I could, just focused on getting points on the board every time I’m out there.”
Notable veterans for Miami, including Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill, did not suit up for the game. Tagovailoa recently inked a four-year extension, while Hill’s contract was restructured during training camp. “We had some defensive players in unusual positions due to depth issues,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. “It was great to see our guys secure a win in front of the home fans.”
This game also marked the coaching debut of the Falcons’ Raheem Morris. “We got to see our players step up and make plays,” Morris said. “I noticed many positives out there.”
Jason Sanders nailed field goals from 58 and 47 yards for the Dolphins, who surged ahead with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter. Miami rookie running back Jaylen Wright had an impressive showing with 10 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Skylar Thompson connected with Jeff Wilson Jr. on a 6-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10. Wright then punched it in from 6 yards after linebacker Isaiah Mack recovered a fumble by Heinicke.
Instead of keeping the ball as a souvenir of his first NFL score, Wright threw it into the stands. “It was just pure excitement. I’ve always wanted to do that,” Wright said.
Sanders and Koo each added field goals in the third quarter before the Falcons turned the ball over twice on downs inside Miami’s 10-yard line in the fourth quarter. The Falcons intend to develop Penix as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year deal in the offseason. “I felt really good about Michael,” Morris said. “It was exciting to see him execute the passing plays, lead the offense, and manage the huddle. Overall, it was a solid night for him.”
The Falcons are still uncertain whether Cousins will see any preseason action as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the last nine games of the previous season. Cousins has been active in Atlanta’s training camp, including participating in joint practices with Miami at the Dolphins’ facility earlier this week.
While Penix was on the field, Miami’s first-round pick, edge rusher Chop Robinson, did not suit up for the game.
INJURIES
Falcons: Safety DeMarcco Hellams was carted off with a left leg injury early in the first quarter. Linebacker Bralen Trice also suffered a left leg injury.
Dolphins: Offensive tackle Kion Smith received attention from the training staff for a left knee issue but managed to walk off the field. Linebacker Grayson Murphy did not return after sustaining a right leg injury.
UP NEXT
Falcons: Travel to Baltimore on Aug. 17.
Dolphins: Host Washington on Aug. 17.
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