Stefanski declined to speculate on when Penix might be released full-time.
“I don’t know the exact date when that would happen,” he said. “All along, as you can imagine, we’ve put complete confidence in Mike and the medical team and the doctor who performed his surgery. So I’m very, very happy with where we are and the plan we have.
“Also, I know Mike, and he’s got the right attitude, which is that he’s going to continue to grind every single day and get better every single day. When that time comes, he’ll participate in those kinds of practices. In the meantime, he’s working very, very hard, and he’s working very hard in every aspect of playing quarterback.
“So yeah, not in team practice, but I don’t want to lose sight of what he’s capable of doing in the building, in the weight room, out on the grass. So he’s attacking it and I appreciate that.”
Penix told reporters later Wednesday that it could be weeks before he is fully cleared.
“I was told another four weeks could go to the next level but at the same time it could be sooner,” Penix said, via The Athletic.
Penix added: “Honestly, I’ve been feeling really good. I feel like I can do everything, but I still have to be smart about it. I can’t afford to have someone crash and crash on me right now.”
Until both are healthy, the battle for the starting QB gig will be on hold.
In addition to the top two quarterbacks injured in early camp, the Falcons released veteran Trevor Siemian with a non-football injury and signed 32-year-old Cooper Rush. Rush will join undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the leading QBs practice early in camp.
It’s a scary start for Stefanski’s first training camp in Flowery Branch.