Falcons sticking with Michael Penix Jr. despite dud at Carolina

Michael Penix Jr. has not lost the starting job to Kirk Cousins, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris clarified Sunday after a 30-0 loss at Carolina.

With the Panthers ahead 27-0, Morris replaced Penix with Atlanta's high-paid backup, Cousins.

"The game was out of hand," Morris said of benching Penix. "You know, you move on. Keep him out of harm's way. Keep our guys out of harm's way. Took a couple players out. The game was out of hand. They got us."

Penix threw his first career pick-6 and was intercepted twice. He threw for 172 yards and is 58 of 99 for 605 yards with one touchdown pass, which came in Week 1.

Cousins was unable to generate points in his brief relief appearance. Cousins connected on 5 of 7 passes for 29 yards.

"I'm never OK with not playing," Penix said. "At the end of the day, I listened to my head coach, and he did what he felt was best for the team and the decision that was made by him. So, I've got to respect it, and I've got to be there to support Kirk whenever he is out there. He does that for me."