Fantasy Football News

The Falcons expect QB Michael Penix Jr. to be ready at some point during training camp, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Penix aggravated a bone bruise and knee sprain and sustained damage to his ACL in Week 11's loss to the Panthers on November 16th. A recovery for training camp would place him back in action about eight months after the injury.

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.

The knee injury that knocked QB Michael Penix Jr. out of Sunday's loss to the Panthers might end his season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Atlanta announced after this initial posting that Penix is headed to IR, meaning he'll miss at least four games. The Falcons already sit 3-7, so it's tough to imagine bringing Penix back in a month making much sense.

Falcons QB Michael Penix suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Panthers and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more. Penix will be replaced by QB Kirk Cousins.

Falcons QB Michael Penix (knee) is off the final Week 9 injury report and will start Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots. It’s good news for Atlanta’s offense after what we saw from QB Kirk Cousins last week, but Penix is no better than a lower-end QB2 in fantasy lineups.

Falcons QB Michael Penix is "day to day" with a bone bruise to his foot suffered in Sunday night's loss to the 49ers, HC Raheem Morris said Monday. It sounds like Penix has a chance to be ready for this weekend's game against the Dolphins, but we'll keep a close eye on his status throughout the week. A healthy Penix would have been a viable Week 8 spot starter against a bad Miami defense, but he'd be tougher to trust playing through this foot injury. If Penix can't go, Atlanta would turn to QB Kirk Cousins, who would also be a low-end matchup-based fantasy option.

Atlanta Falcons RT Kaleb McGary will miss time with an apparent leg injury, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

The Falcons selected Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. It’s been a long road for Penix, whose college career began at Indiana. Unfortunately, injuries stole headlines in his four years as a Hoosier. In 2018, he missed four games with a right ACL tear. Four more games were lost the following season due to a right shoulder injury. Then in 2020, Penix retore his right ACL, costing him the last two games. Finally, a shoulder injury robbed him of seven games in 2021. It’s an exhaustive injury history for sure. But his comeback story certainly ended on a high note. Transferring to Washington in 2021, Penix excelled in an play-action based, downfield attack. He compiled 4,641-31-8 in 13 games while playing with a trio of NFL-caliber WRs: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan. He recorded nine games north of 300 yards. Come 2023, Penix became the first player with 4,500+ yards in back-to-back seasons since Patrick Mahomes (2015-2016). So production/experience – along with arm strength – supply the bull case. On the flip side, it’s fair to question how Penix will perform outside of an excellent situation. That includes his blocking, as Washington’s O-line allowed only 16 sacks over the past two seasons. We also saw what happened when pressure reached Penix in the National Championship vs. Michigan. That game produced his lowest PFF passing grade (50.1) and yards per attempt (5.0) of the year. The Atlanta landing spot is a true head-scratcher. Kirk Cousins just inked a multi-year deal worth $100 million guaranteed. Perhaps he’s not ready to start come Week 1 – but there’s not a clear path to consistent playing time for Penix.

Consider Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. one of the winners of the 2024 NFL Combine. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Penix’s medical exams were “extremely positive.” That’s huge considering his injury history: two torn ACLs (both to his right knee), a separated A/C joint, and a fractured clavicle. The Indiana transfer excelled in an aggressive, downfield attack over the past two seasons. Throwing to top WRs like Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan, Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards in 2023. There's not much of a rushing ceiling to chase, however. So while Penix is a potential Round 1 pick come April, he’s not someone to prioritize in 1-QB dynasty rookie drafts.