Michael Penix Jr. leaves late vs. Ravens after big hit; Tua Tagovailoa throws interception to seal Baltimore win in his place

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took a big hit toward the end of regulation and wasn’t able to play in overtime of Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa whose second pass as an Atlanta Falcon sealed Baltimore’s 30-23 win in overtime. Tagovailoa targeted Drake London on a downfield pass, but instead found Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton to end the game.

Penix took the hit in the final seconds of regulation. He started to get up from the hit that forced a fumble, but couldn’t get to his feet. He laid back down on the field before ultimately leaving for the sideline.

Atlanta recoverd the fumble, and Tagovailoa took Penix’s place for one play. Penix returned to throw a pass on Atlanta’s final offensive play of regulation before a punt ran out the clock and sent the game to overtime tied at 23. It initially appeared as if Penix would be ready to play in overtime.

But as Baltimore milked clock on the first possession of regulation, medical staff continued to speak to speak with Penix on the sideline.

And when the Falcons got the ball with with 2:57 left in overtime following a Ravens touchdown on a Tyler Huntley sneak, Tagovailoa took over at quarterback on the ensuing Atlanta possession. Penix was officially diagnosed with a rib injury.

Tagovailoa’s overtime stint lasted exactly two passes as he threw the interception, and what started as a good night for the Falcons ended in disappointing fashion on two fronts:

The Falcons lost a game they led for the entirety of regulation until Baltimore’s late score to tie it in the final minute of the fourth quarter. And the status of Penix moving forward was not clear.

This story will be updated.