Fantasy Football News

Falcons QB Cooper Rush will start today's game vs. the Panthers, but QB Michael Penix is "nearing a return" and could make his debut vs. the Packers on Thursday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Penix is working his way back from an ACL tear but was fully cleared in mid-August. He and Rush reportedly split first-team reps in practice this week. Penix is no superstar, but he'll be a big upgrade from Rush. WR Drake London will be especially excited to see Penix back. London averaged 20.4 PPR points per game with Penix vs. 13.9 without him across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Consider buying low on London and TE Kyle Pitts over the next few days, especially if they struggle again vs. the Panthers today.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush will start this weekend's game vs. the Panthers, HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday. QB Michael Penix (knee) was a full-go in practice all week but has been ruled out. QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is listed as doubtful. Rush was a disaster last week, throwing for 143 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts combined for 2 catches and 29 yards. The matchup is easier this week against Carolina, but it's tough to have much optimism for this passing game. Check your Team Dashboard to see if London or Pitts belongs in your starting lineup.

Falcons QBs Michael Penix (knee) and Cooper Rush (back) were full participants in Wednesday's practice, while QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was out. Penix and Rush reportedly split first-team reps, and Penix said afterward that he's "close" to being ready to play. HC Kevin Stefanski did not name a Week 2 starter when asked on Wednesday. None of these guys should be in your Week 2 fantasy plans, but Drake London and Kyle Pitts owners should be hoping for Penix ASAP.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts went catchless on one target in Sunday’s road loss to Pittsburgh. It marked his first game without a reception since Week 13 of the 2024 season.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush suffered back spasms Saturday but remains in line to start against the Steelers tomorrow. He moved into the starting role after QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury at practice on Thursday, with undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand out of Minnesota State-Moorhead set to back up Rush.

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for this weekend's game vs. the Steelers after suffering an oblique injury in Thursday's practice. We'll see how much longer he'll be sidelined, and when QB Michael Penix is ready to play after last year's ACL tear. But it'll be QB Cooper Rush under center for Atlanta in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old owns a career 61.1% completion rate and 6.3 yards-per-attempt average. Rush is likely a downgrade even from the current version of Tagovailoa. WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts take a hit in the Week 1 rankings, although both guys are fine to keep in lineups as volume-based plays. The Steelers DST is an elite Week 1 play.

Update: HC Kevin Stefanski labeled Tagovailoa "week to week" on Friday, suggesting that he might be out beyond Week 1.

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa has struggled so badly in training camp that Michael Penix has a chance to win the Week 1 starting job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport said Atlanta planned to start Tagovailoa while Penix worked back from his knee injury, but Tua's play has made that "impossible."

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.

The Falcons and WR Drake London agreed to a four-year, $141 million extension with $100 million guaranteed. The $35.25 million average annual salary makes London the league's third-highest paid WR, behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja'Marr Chase. London is now signed with Atlanta through the 2030 season.

Falcons beat writer Josh Kendall expects Falcons QB Michael Penix to remain the starting QB "in 2026 and beyond." The second-year QB made nine appearances last season before suffering a partial tear of his left ACL.

The Falcons are hiring Kevin Stefanski as their new HC. He's expected to retain DC Jeff Ulbrich and bring Tommy Rees with him from Cleveland to serve as OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stefanski spent the past six seasons as Browns HC, compiling a 45-56 record. He went 37-30 with two playoff appearances over the first four years, the first of two coming with QB Baker Mayfield. Stefanski was in Minnesota for 14 seasons prior to Cleveland, serving as OC in his final year there. That 2019 Vikings team was quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins, who remains signed with the Falcons as of now. QB Michael Penix is also on the roster but is working back from ACL surgery that's expected to sideline him into August. QB is the big question for Atlanta heading into 2026. But Stefanski will be armed with a sturdy offensive line and a pair of high-end skill players in RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London.

The Falcons fired HC Raheem Morris, according to multiple reports. Atlanta went 8-9 in each of Morris' two seasons, failing to reach the playoffs either year. OC Zac Robinson will likely be gone, too, although that hasn't been confirmed. The Falcons have elite offensive building blocks in RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London, plus an above-average offensive line. The defense flashed at times this season, even though it tailed off over the second half. QB is the big question mark for this team going forward after Michael Penix's season ended with yet another knee injury. We'll see who the Falcons tab to replace Morris and Robinson, but this team certainly has upside in 2026 and beyond.

Update: The Falcons also fired GM Terry Fontenot.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), and TE Kyle Pitts (knee) are all active for today’s game vs. the Saints. All three guys were limited in practice throughout the week and won’t be at 100% for this one. Pitts is the most comfortable fantasy start of the trio. London has not looked right the last two weeks, totaling just four catches and 31 yards.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), and TE Kyle Pitts (knee) are listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Saints after being limited in practice all week. HC Raheem Morris said Friday that all three guys are expected to play. London has struggled returning from his PCL injury, catching just four balls for 31 yards over the last two weeks. Pitts is a more comfortable fantasy start, although it's possible that this knee issue contributed to his Week 17 dud. We'll get Atlanta's inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee) is active for tonight's game vs. the Rams. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, but there never seemed to be any doubt about London's availability for this one. He caught just three balls for 27 yards in his return last week, but he drew eight targets on an 83% route rate. London is a strong fantasy bet tonight against a slumping Rams pass defense.

Falcons WR Drake London will play Monday night against the Rams, according to ESPN Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi. London's officially questionable with his knee injury but managed limited practices all week. We've had him projected into WR1 territory since early in the week.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. He only got in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and was listed as questionable. It’s fair to assume that London still isn’t at 100%, but we haven’t heard anything about his snaps being limited today. The floor here is lower than usual, but London’s ceiling means he belongs in the vast majority of fantasy lineups. He’s topped 100 yards in five of his last six games.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee) is expected to play vs. the Cardinals today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. London got in just two limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. But HC Raheem Morris said Friday that London would play, and we haven't heard anything about him being on a snap count today. There's certainly elevated risk here in London's first game since Week 11. But he'd be very tough to keep out of fantasy lineups after averaging 108.5 yards and 1.0 TDs per game over his last five.