Falcons quarterback Michael Penix will have season-ending knee surgery

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have season-ending surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have season-ending surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The Falcons announced Penix’s surgery plans on Wednesday, two days after saying the 25-year-old would be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games while awaiting a second opinion on the severity of the injury. The team said the second opinion confirmed that Penix has a partially torn ligament in the knee.

The loss of Penix leaves veteran Kirk Cousins as the starter for the remainder of the season as the Falcons (3-7) prepare to play at New Orleans on Sunday.

Kirk Cousins warms up prior to the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, in Atlanta.Todd Kirkland / Getty ImagesPenix suffered the injury in last week’s 30-27 overtime loss to Carolina, extending the Falcons’ losing streak to five games.

Coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Easton Stick would be signed to the active roster from the practice squad to serve as Cousins’ backup. Former Tampa Bay backup Kyle Trask will be signed to the practice squad.