The Falcons have named QB Michael Penix Jr. the starter for Thursday night's game against the Packers. We passed along word Sunday that this might be the case, and the team confirmed it Monday. Atlanta started Cooper Rush the first two games after Tua Tagovailoa went down with an oblique injury.
What They're Saying
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "Penix has deemed his reconstructed ACL ready after splitting reps last week."
ESPN's Adam Schefter: "Through their first two games this season, the Falcons have yet to have a drive reach the red zone."
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Atlanta sits 32nd in the league in passing yards (247) after games against the Steelers and Panthers. Rush has more INTs (5) than net yards per pass attempt.
We'll see whether Penix needs some time to get reaclimated, but it's tough to envision the Falcons passing game getting any worse.
Don't expect the QB to offer meaningful fantasy value beyond two-QB and superflex formats, but Penix's return should help the team's pass catchers.
WR Drake London has averaged 20.4 PPR points per Penix game to date vs. 13.9 in games with other QBs before this season. London managed just 7.2 points per game over the past two weeks.
TE Kyle Pitts has just 2.5 total PPR points so far this season.
Passing improvement should obviously help the offense on whole as well.
