Falcons vs. Packers, Thursday Night Football, September 26: Penix Jr. season debut, inactives

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Green Bay for Thursday Night Football on September 26 with Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. making his season debut after missing the first two games. The Packers, who are 1-1, enter as 6.5-point home favorites, per Yahoo Sports. The Falcons are 0-2. Penix Jr. missed the first two games recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season, according to Yahoo Sports. In his absence, backup QBs combined for significant struggles. According to Yahoo Sports, Cooper Rush and UDFA Jack Strand combined for a 55.6% completion percentage, 247 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions over two games. The pair posted a 38.2 passer rating and took a combined seven sacks, per Yahoo Sports. Green Bay will be without two offensive contributors. Zach Bako-Bewele (right tackle, knee) has been ruled out, according to Packers.com. Anthony Belton replaced Bako-Bewele in the previous game and was upgraded to full participation Wednesday after an elbow injury, and will play against Atlanta, according to Packers.com. Aaron Banks (guard, knee/toe) and Warren Brinson (defensive tackle, calf) have been ruled out for the Packers, per Packers.com. Javon Hargrave (defensive tackle, knee/concussion) and Anthony Campbell (defensive tackle, ankle) are listed as questionable, according to Packers.com. Donovan Jennings, who replaced Banks in the previous game and left with a hand injury, was upgraded to limited on Tuesday and should be available Thursday without an injury designation, per Packers.com. For the Falcons, defensive end Samson Ebukam (hamstring) has been ruled out, according to Packers.com. Cornerback Billy Bowman (Achilles) is listed as questionable despite being estimated as a full participant in practice this week, per Packers.com. Penix Jr. did not receive a game status designation and will be available, according to Packers.com. The Packers are coming off a narrow win over the New York Jets in Week 2, according to Yahoo Sports. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video, with local coverage on NBC26 (WGBA) in Green Bay and FOX6 (WITI) in Milwaukee. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CDT) at Lambeau Field.