Rookie Michael Penix Jr. has good start for Falcons in 20-13 loss to Dolphins in preseason opener
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Atlanta rookie Michael Penix Jr. completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams.
Penix, the former Washington star drafted eighth overall, started and played the first five drives. He connected with receiver Chris Blair on a 41-yard pass down the sideline midway through the first quarter for his longest completion.
“It was fun to be able to be out there competing with my brothers,” Penix said. “Playing the game since I was 5 years old. No nerves. No jitters. I was just ready to go.”
Penix directed two drives that ended in scores - Younghoe Koo’s 39-yard field goal and Carlos Washington’s 1-yard touchdown run. Taylor Heinicke replaced Penix with 6:40 remaining in the second quarter.
“There are some things I definitely want to get better,” Penix said. “I felt I executed the offense the best that I could. Just trying to get points on the board whenever I’m out there.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill were among the veterans who weren’t in uniform for Miami. Tagovailoa signed a four-year extension, and Hill had his contract restructured during training camp.
“We had some defensive players play out of position because of some depth issues,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “So it was good to see our guys get a win in front of the home fans.”
In addition to Penix’s first game, it was also the coaching debut for the Falcons' Raheem Morris.
“We got a chance look at these guys go out and make some plays,” Morris said. “I saw many positive things.”
Jason Sanders kicked field goals of 58 and 47 yards for the Dolphins, who took the lead for good with 14 straight points in the second quarter. Miami rookie running back Jaylen Wright had 10 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Skylar Thompson’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson Jr. tied it at 10. Wright then ran it in from 6 yards after linebacker Isaiah Mack recovered Heinicke’s fumbled snap.
Instead of keeping the ball as a memento for his first NFL score, Wright threw it into the stands.
“It was excitement. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Wright said.
Sanders and Koo converted field goals in the third quarter before Atlanta twice turned it over on downs inside the Miami 10 in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons initially plan to utilize 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 fun to see him go out there and execute some of the pass plays. Lead the offense, getting them in and out of the huddle. A pretty good night for him.”
It is unclear whether Cousins will take snaps during the preseason as he recovers from an Achilles injury that sidelined him the final nine games last season. Cousins has participated in Atlanta’s training camp, including the two joint practices with Miami at the Dolphins’ facility this week.
While Penix played, edge rusher Chop Robinson, the Dolphins’ first-round pick, was not in uniform.
INJURIES
Falcons: Safety DeMarcco Hellams was carted off the field because of a left leg injury early in the first quarter. ... Linebacker Bralen Trice injured his left leg.
Dolphins: Offensive tackle Kion Smith needed attention from training staff as he favored his left knee but walked off the field. ... Linebacker Grayson Murphy didn’t return after an apparent right leg injury.
UP NEXT
Falcons: At Baltimore on Aug. 17.
Dolphins: Host Washington on Aug. 17.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. Penix Jr.
9 QB
4 FPTS
|
M. Penix Jr. | 9/16 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Rourke
16 QB
3 FPTS
|
N. Rourke | 3/13 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Heinicke
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
T. Heinicke | 4/11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. McClellan
30 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. McClellan | 9 | 30 | 0 | 11 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Washington Jr.
28 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. Washington Jr. | 16 | 25 | 1 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Rourke
16 QB
3 FPTS
|
N. Rourke | 2 | 24 | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Williams
26 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Williams | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Heinicke
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
T. Heinicke | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Blair
19 WR
4 FPTS
|
C. Blair | 3 | 2 | 45 | 0 | 41 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Washington
82 WR
5 FPTS
|
C. Washington | 9 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 16 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
O. Hiliare
11 WR
2 FPTS
|
O. Hiliare | 6 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Matthews
86 WR
2 FPTS
|
J. Matthews | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McClellan
30 RB
6 FPTS
|
J. McClellan | 4 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Washington Jr.
28 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. Washington Jr. | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. FitzPatrick
87 TE
3 FPTS
|
J. FitzPatrick | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Thomas
46 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Thomas | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Williams
26 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Williams | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Drummond
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Drummond | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hodge
12 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Hodge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Washington
83 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Washington | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Stogner
88 TE
0 FPTS
|
A. Stogner | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Mack
81 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Mack | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Mutin
45 LB
|
D. Mutin | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Price
36 CB
|
J. Price | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Abernathy
29 DB
|
M. Abernathy | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bertrand
40 LB
|
J. Bertrand | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hamilton
33 CB
|
A. Hamilton | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. King
32 CB
|
K. King | 2-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Eifler
52 LB
|
M. Eifler | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Togiai
62 DT
|
T. Togiai | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Harrison
96 DE
|
Z. Harrison | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Cruikshank
31 DB
|
D. Cruikshank | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Orhorhoro
90 DT
|
R. Orhorhoro | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Anae
47 LB
|
B. Anae | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Denis
41 DB
|
L. Denis | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Carter
0 LB
|
L. Carter | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Emili
71 DT
|
P. Emili | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harris
91 DE
|
D. Harris | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Logue
59 DT
|
Z. Logue | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Street
75 DE
|
K. Street | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Vaval
42 CB
|
T. Vaval | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Trice
48 LB
|
B. Trice | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Brooks
35 DB
|
N. Brooks | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Dorlus
54 DE
|
B. Dorlus | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Y. Koo
6 K
7 FPTS
|
Y. Koo | 2/2 | 53 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. Sanborn
37 P
|
R. Sanborn | 9 | 46.1 | 2 | 52 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. Washington Jr.
28 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. Washington Jr. | 2 | 9.0 | 10 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Drummond
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Drummond | 1 | 23.0 | 23 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Brooks
35 DB
0 FPTS
|
N. Brooks | 1 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Drummond 15 WR
2 FPTS
|
D. Drummond | 1 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Brooks 35 DB
0 FPTS
|
N. Brooks | 1 | 21.0 | 21 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
S. Thompson
19 QB
7 FPTS
|
S. Thompson | 8/19 | 95 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. White
14 QB
2 FPTS
|
M. White | 4/14 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Wright
25 RB
11 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 10 | 55 | 1 | 14 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brooks
35 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. Brooks | 12 | 40 | 0 | 11 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Washington
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Washington | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. White
14 QB
2 FPTS
|
M. White | 5 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilson
23 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. Wilson | 5 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Thompson
19 QB
7 FPTS
|
S. Thompson | 2 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. Conner
80 TE
10 FPTS
|
T. Conner | 4 | 3 | 70 | 0 | 43 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wilson
23 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. Wilson | 4 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 16 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fortson
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
J. Fortson | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Cracraft
85 WR
2 FPTS
|
R. Cracraft | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan
87 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. McGowan | 6 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Washington
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Washington | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. Snead
82 WR
0 FPTS
|
W. Snead | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Burton
42 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Burton | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Sanders
86 WR
0 FPTS
|
B. Sanders | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brooks
35 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. Brooks | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wright
25 RB
11 FPTS
|
J. Wright | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Harley
82 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Harley | 1 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
P. McMorris
32 SAF
|
P. McMorris | 7-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Tindall
41 LB
|
C. Tindall | 5-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Bolton
58 LB
|
C. Bolton | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Duck
36 DB
|
S. Duck | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Maye
46 FS
|
M. Maye | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Payne Jr.
78 DT
|
L. Payne Jr. | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Colbert
34 DB
|
J. Colbert | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Bonner
27 CB
|
E. Bonner | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Pili
96 DT
|
B. Pili | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Gallimore
90 DT
|
N. Gallimore | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Mack
97 DT
|
I. Mack | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Perry
38 SAF
|
M. Perry | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Vandenburgh
57 LB
|
Z. Vandenburgh | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Maitre
43 DB
|
J. Maitre | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Johnson
37 DB
|
I. Johnson | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Neal
33 DB
|
S. Neal | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Murphy
59 LB
|
G. Murphy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Riley
45 MLB
|
D. Riley | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Needham
40 DB
|
N. Needham | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Harris
98 DT
|
J. Harris | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Bell
56 LB
|
Q. Bell | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Sanders
7 K
8 FPTS
|
J. Sanders | 2/3 | 58 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Bailey
16 P
|
J. Bailey | 7 | 42.7 | 2 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Washington
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Washington | 2 | 23.0 | 24 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan
87 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. McGowan | 1 | 27.0 | 27 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Washington 83 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Washington | 4 | 5.3 | 18 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan 87 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. McGowan | 2 | 10.0 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Needham 40 DB
0 FPTS
|
N. Needham | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |