Michael Penix Debut: Live Updates from Giants at Falcons

ATLANTA — For the Atlanta Falcons, the future is now.

Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is making his first NFL start at 1 p.m. Sunday against the New York Giants inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced Tuesday night that Penix, drafted No. 8 overall by Atlanta in the spring, will be the team’s starter “moving forward.” He replaces 36-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins, who threw an NFL-high 16 interceptions in 14 starts.

Penix has appeared in two games this season — a pair of blowout losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos — and completed 3-of-5 passes for 38 yards.

For his first NFL start, Falcons on SI is documenting each important moment of Penix’s Sunday afternoon, from his entrance to the field to his departure from the stadium

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11:36 a.m.: After completing his first warmup phase, Penix chats with family members and friends on the sideline before entering the locker room a few minutes later.

11:25 a.m.: Penix again resumes throwing to his pass catchers after a stretch period.

11:15 a.m.: Penix starts throwing passes to officially begin warmups. Receiver Drake London joins him to catch passes before they begin stretching.

11:07 a.m.: Cousins emerges from the tunnel for the first time as backup.

11:04 a.m.: Penix takes the field. He walks around the field once, muttering words into his phone — either to himself or someone else — and taking a brief stop at the end of the endzone on Atlanta’s sideline. When he finished his first lap, he started doing arm-circles and began throwing.

10:55 a.m.: Not Penix related, but Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot emerged from the tunnel next to each other and shared a chat while watching receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney catch passes.