FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition can now begin! Or, it has already started. Or, it may never end.It’s hard to keep up, but Monday was a significant step as Michael Penix Jr. returned to the field in full health for the first time since suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11 last year.“This is a big step for Mike, and he’s excited about it,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said.What Stefanski didn’t say was whether Penix will play, alongside the rest of Atlanta’s starters, in Friday’s preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins. Or if it’s realistic to think Penix could overtake Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job by the regular-season opener, which is only 21 days away.“I can’t speculate on those types of things,” Stefanski said. “I want to really stay in today with Mike and see how he does in practice. I really have to stay in the moment with this one. Let’s see how he feels after today.”Will the quarterback competition in Atlanta ever end?Josh KendallPenix was cleared last week by his surgeon to return to full 11-on-11 practice work. He has participated in team activities and seven-on-seven drills since the offseason, so Monday was only a small increase to his workload. But it was a significant one.“It’s cool seeing him in 11-on-11 action,” wide receiver Jahan Dotson said. “It’s exciting for him. I know it’s been a tough journey for him. It’s good to see him on the opposite side of that. He had a little scramble today, which was cool to see.”Penix was 4-for-8 passing Monday in 11-on-11 drills. He threw two passes noticeably short while under simulated pressure in the pocket (defenders aren’t allowed to touch quarterbacks in practice), but he also threw two on-target intermediate completions to Kyle Pitts and Drake London later in the practice. Penix has acknowledged that he has to overcome the mental hurdle of anticipating contact to his knee.“There’s a way to play this game, and you have to play it free,” Stefanski said. “I think Mike takes great comfort in knowing he’s done everything he can to get his body ready. This is Day 1 of 11-on-11 for him. We will get through today, check in and have a plan for tomorrow.”Tagovailoa took the first 11-on-11 reps of the day with the starters and in scout-team work but finished 0-for-3 passing. Penix did not speak to the media Monday. He is expected to talk Wednesday. There is still no timetable for naming a starter.“Competition is near and dear to all of our hearts,” Stefanski said. “You are competing every single day. That alarm clock goes off, you’re competing. Everything we do in this building is about competing.”Penix’s status is not the only quarterback question the Falcons have to answer. The competition for the No. 3 spot got very interesting Friday after undrafted free agent rookie Jack Strand went 12-of-17 for 212 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. The Division II product played well enough that a portion of the fan base is lobbying online for him to be elevated into the starting competition, but it doesn’t sound like that is in the Falcons’ plans.“At this point, Jack is going to continue to work with the twos and threes, but we’re very excited about his development,” Stefanski said. “Player development is huge in what we do, and being intentional about how we bring players along is important to us.”Strand is 18-of-29 passing for 262 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in two preseason appearances. He is second in the NFL in yards per attempt (9.0) in preseason games.“We want to make sure we put all our young guys, Jack included, through a process,” Stefanski said. “He’s doing everything we are asking him to do, but we are not going to put those types of conversations out there for our guys to worry about. He’s got to focus on the day-to-day.”Strand’s family informed him after Friday’s game that he had briefly become an internet sensation, he said.“They are kind of taking it in stride like I am,” he said. “They are happy for me that I have the opportunity to play football professionally, keep getting to play this game that I love. That’s kind of where I am at, too.”NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by Aug. 30 and can then begin filling their 16-man practice squads.“I just want to be the best football player I can be, help the team in whatever way possible,” Strand said. “I’m not really focused on (cutdown day). I want to be where I’m at today. I was focused on practice today. I just want to be where my feet are.”