Falcons QBs Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa are sidelined for the start of training camp. Penix continues to recover from November surgery to repair his right ACL. Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and is expected back next week.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Little Certainty or Upside
Tagovailoa had looked like the favorite to open the season under center for Atlanta simply because he was healthier than Penix. That edge is gone for now, although it still sounds like he'll beat Penix back to the field.
Penix is about eight months removed from his knee surgery and told the media on Wednesday that he expects to be cleared in about four weeks. That'd be a little over two weeks before the Falcons kick off their season against the Steelers.
Barring further back issues, Tagovailoa remains the better bet for the Week 1 start. But this still looks like a low-upside, uncertain situation, leaving neither Tagovailoa nor Penix as an appealing QB3 target in best ball or superflex drafts.
Other Winners & Losers: London and Pitts Should Be Fine
It'd be nice to get some better QB news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts. Both guys carry lofty ADPs, London going in the middle of Round 2 and Pitts at the end of Round 6.
Of course, both guys turned in strong 2025 seasons in spite of shaky QB play. We're not moving either in the 2026 rankings.
