Falcons hoping Penix's return sparks their offense as they visit the Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- — Michael Penix Jr.'s return comes at a time when the winless Atlanta Falcons need someone to provide a jolt for their lifeless offense. Atlanta’s offense couldn’t reach the red zone as the Falcons opened the season with losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were the first team since the Rams in 2008 not to run any plays from inside an opponent’s 20-yard line through the first two games of a season. Penix now is back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The 26-year-old quarterback is ready to play his first game since Nov. 16 on Thursday night as the Falcons visit the Green Bay Packers. “I’ve been working extremely hard to get to this point,” Penix said. “Man, this has been a long journey.” Atlanta (0-2) needs the boost that Penix will try to provide. Cooper Rush and Jack Strand threw a combined five interceptions with one touchdown pass — a 23-yarder from Rush to Bijan Robinson in Week 1 — while Penix worked his way back. The Packers expect to face a more capable Atlanta offense now that Penix is back. “He’s a quarterback that’s gone in there and played really solid football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “So I would bet that their offense is going to look a little bit different Thursday night.” Green Bay (1-1) has concerns of its own. All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL and running back Josh Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list. Wide receiver Jayden Reed and offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele were carted off the field during the Packers’ 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Bako-Bewele tore his patellar tendon and will miss the rest of the season. Reed’s potential return from a neck injury is unknown. The injury to Bako-Bewele creates more adversity for an offensive line that hasn’t established a rhythm yet. Left guard Aaron Banks also won't be available Thursday because of knee and toe issues. Packers quarterback Jordan Love says all those injuries up front shouldn’t change the expectations. “I expect those guys to go out there and put their best foot forward and give me time to be able to go out there and try dicing a defense up,” Love said. “That’s the expectations, whoever’s out there. Nothing changes.” Need to know Atlanta (0-2) at Green Bay (1-1) When/where to watch: Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Amazon Prime Latest odds: Packers by 5 1/2. Against the spread: Falcons 0-2; Packers 0-2 Last week: Packers beat the New York Jets 20-17 in overtime on the road; Falcons lost 34-3 at home to the Carolina Panthers Last meeting: Falcons won 25-24 on Sept. 17, 2023, in Atlanta Series record: Packers lead 19-17 Matchup to watch Robinson vs. Packers' run defense: After earning All-Pro honors last season, Robinson has rushed for 155 yards on 37 carries through Atlanta's first two games this season. Green Bay is allowing just 2.85 yards per carry. Only the Los Angeles Chargers are giving up fewer yards per rush. Stats and stuff — Robinson is the third-youngest player in NFL history to have at least 4,000 rushing yards (4,065) and 200 receptions (209) at 24 years, 233 days. Only Hall of Famers Edgerrin James (24 years, 129 days) and LaDainian Tomlinson (24 years, 160 days) were younger when reaching those marks. — Robinson reached 4,000 yards in 53 games, the fewest games to that milestone in team history. William Andrews reached the mark in 54 games. — Falcons WR Drake London reached 4,000 receiving yards (4,041) in 64 games. Only Julio Jones (47) and Andre Rison (62) reached 4,000 receiving yards in fewer games in Falcons history. — The Falcons rank last in the league with 123.5 passing yards per game, 31st with 8.0 points per game and 29th with 262 total yards per game. — Atlanta's minus-6 turnover margin ranks last in the league. — Atlanta edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who played for Green Bay from 2019-21, has 2 1/2 sacks in his first two games with the Falcons. — The Packers are seeking to win their home opener for a 14th straight year, which would set an NFL record. The Packers are currently tied for the longest such streak with the Miami Dolphins, who won 13 straight home openers from 1976-88. — The Packers rank last in the league in third down conversion rate (19.1%). — Green Bay has committed the most penalties (26) for the most yards (231) of any NFL team. — Packers WR Christian Watson has three touchdown catches in Green Bay's first two games. — Packers DL Lukas Van Ness and LB Edgerrin Cooper each have at least one sack in each of Green Bay's first two games. — Packers WR/KR Skyy Moore totaled 208 yards on returns (116 on kickoffs, 92 on punts) against the Jets. That's the highest single-game total by any Packer since Will Blackmon had 209 against New Orleans in 2008. ------ AP Sports Writer Charles Odum contributed to this report. ------ See AP’s full NFL coverage here