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    Wolfe: Falcons plan to start Penix ‘eventually’

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    ATL Quarterback #9
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports the Falcons plan for QB Michael Penix Jr. “to start eventually.”

    Wolfe added that head coach Kevin Stefanski does not want “an imaginary timeline” for Penix (knee) returning; the Falcons want to see him practice more and avoid rushing him back. The next week of practices will show if he is ready or if Tua Tagovailoa will be the “placeholder” for Week 1. Tagovailoa’s struggles seem to have made it a foregone conclusion that Penix will start when ready this season as the Falcons evaluate whether or not they will need to draft a quarterback in 2027.
Jac Collinsworth assesses Simmons, Nelson trades
On Not So Fast, Jac Collinsworth discusses Jeffery Simmons being traded to the Bears and Quenton Nelson, who he attended Notre Dame with, being traded to the Seahawks.

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  • ATL Quarterback #9
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    The stats may make it seem like Penix had his way with the 49ers, but it didn’t seem like a seamless performance in reality. He missed some deep passes and overthrew Drake London on a clear touchdown in the second half. He really wasn’t able to get much going down the field, but the Falcons’ defense forced four turnovers, which set up some short fields that Penix was able to take advantage of. He gets a good matchup against the Bucs next week.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    Penix was a mess in the first half, missing Drake London on what should have been an walk-in 30-yard touchdown. The Falcons abandoned the run game in the second half, facing a three touchdown deficit, and Penix threw three touchdowns in hurry-up mode. Taking five sacks on the day, Penix targeted London and Jahan Dotson heavily, connecting with Dotson on a nicely thrown 41-yard gain in the second half. This was the first multiple-TD game of Penix’s season. He’ll be a low-ceiling superflex play in Week 7 against the 49ers.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    Penix was able to practice this week and will start for Atlanta in a potentially high scoring game against the Bears. Penix should be considered a streaming option in most formats. Falcons declared QB Cooper Rush, QB Jack Strand, CB C.J. Henderson, DB Malcolm DeWalt IV, LB Christian Harris, OL Ethan Onianwa, and DE Drake Jackson inactive against the Bears.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    It was reported the day after the Falcons’ overtime loss to the Ravens that there was “optimism” that Penix would start in Week 6. After being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday’s practice, he seemed like a lock to be ready to go by Sunday, so Friday’s news isn’t all that unexpected. Penix has thrown for 719 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception this season, throwing one touchdown in each of his first three games. He’ll be on the fantasy radar in 2QB/Superflex leagues against a Bears defense that has allowed just two top-12 fantasy finishes to opposing QBs this season.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    This is great news for the Falcons’ offense, which can barely function with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. Penix is firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Bears, as long as he gets through the week setback-free. Penix can be viewed as a high-end QB2 with four teams on bye.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    “We’ll see how he’s feeling,” head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday morning, adding that Penix should be able to play through the injury. Even if it’s a limited practice session for Penix, it’s good news for his Week 6 availability following his Sunday night rib injury against the Ravens. Penix, operating under center at a much higher rate than last season, is among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league through Week 5. If Penix is out, Tua Tagovailoa would represent a major downgrade for all Atlanta pass catchers.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    Penix said after Sunday’s loss that he didn’t believe his injury would be long-term. He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in overtime because of his injury, but he also added that he likely would have gone back on the field had the Falcons received the ball to start the extra quarter. Instead, Penix said his pain worsened the longer he sat, which was why he ultimately didn’t go back in. Penix’s status will be one to monitor throughout the week. If he can’t start in Week 6, Tagovailoa would be in line to start his first game of the season.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    Penix will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the severity of his injury, but it doesn’t sound like he’s at risk of missing much time. Penix exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Ravens and was forced to stay on the sideline in overtime to watch Tua Tagovailoa throw the game-losing interception shortly after the Ravens scored the go-ahead touchdown. Penix threw for 240 yards and a touchdown and has been solid in his three games since returning from injury. If he’s not able to start in Week 6, Tagovailoa would presumably draw the start at home against the Bears.
  • ATL Quarterback #1
    Tagovailoa came on in relief of the injured Michael Penix late in the fourth quarter and would be charged with leading the Falcons to a potential game-tying drive in overtime after the Ravens took the ball and scored a touchdown to start the extra period. He completed one pass at the end of the fourth quarter, one in overtime, and then threw a game-ending interception to send the Falcons to a 2-3 record ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Bears. Fantasy managers of Penix will want to track his status closely in the coming days.
  • ATL Quarterback #9
    Penix took the full brunt of a brutal hit to the midsection late in the fourth quarter of Week 5 against the Ravens. He would leave for one play due to the medical timeout, return for one play, and then retreat to the sideline. Tua Tagovailoa came on in relief in overtime, with the team designating Penix questionable to return with an injury to his ribs. Penix completed 19-of-32 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown prior to departing, adding eight yards on two carries. Fantasy managers will want to monitor his practice status in the coming days ahead of a Week 6 meeting with the Bears.

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  • BUF Wide Receiver #2
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    Bills coach Joe Brady said DJ Moore (shoulder) is questionable for Buffalo’s Week 8 game against the Ravens.

    Moore has practiced with a non-contact jersey on, in a limited fashion, both of the first two days of the practice week after coming off bye. This isn’t exactly an exciting run-out after the bye, but Moore probably is on the optimistic side of questionable and any fantasy player that is breathing should be elevated in a game projected to have Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
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    Bills coach Joe Brady said Dalton Kincaid (chest) is questionable for Buffalo’s Week 8 game against the Ravens.

    Kincaid was limited in both of the first two practices this week. We’d imagine he’s on the optimistic side of questionable, though it’s not altogether great news that he wound up on the questionable line after a bye week to heal up. Kincaid will have to be started if active in what projects as a scoring bonanza against the Ravens.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said Jeremiyah Love (ankle) will play in Week 8 against the Cowboys.

    After missing the last two games with an ankle injury, Love will return to the Cardinals in what could be a three-way split after the recent emergence of Bam Knight. Love was averaging 16.2 opportunities per game before being sidelined, with most of that work coming on the ground. With only two top-24 PPR performances to his name so far this season, he shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a boom-or-bust RB2 against the Cowboys.
  • BAL Quarterback #8
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    Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Lamar Jackson (ankle) will play in Baltimore’s Week game against the Bills.

    “We do think we will have Lamar this game,” Minter said. Jackson practiced in full on Friday and has missed the last three weeks with his high-ankle sprain. The Ravens will likely clear him from the injury report later today. Jackson told reporters that he feels like “I’m no longer a statue.” Jackson will be “safe” to use as a QB1 against the Bills in what profiles as a fantasy points bonanza.
  • ATL Defensive End #27
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    Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said James Pearce Jr. (suspension) will be added back to the Falcons 53-man roster next week when eligible.

    “He’s done everything that we have asked, everything that he has been allowed to do, he’s done a great job,” Stefanski said while saying that Pearce would play in Madrid against the Bengals. Pearce was suspended after violating the league’s personal conduct policy for three felonies and one misdemeanor for his role in a car chase with ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce’s felony charges were aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person.
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    Tytus Howard (concussion) is questionable for Week 8 against the Steelers.

    Howard returned to the practice field Friday after missing both sessions to start the week, keeping the door open for him to clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Howard will need to remain asymptomatic and gain clearance from an independent neurologist to play.
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    Colts coach Shane Steichen said Sauce Gardner (calf) will be active for Indianapolis’ Week 8 game against the Jaguars.

    Gardner missed last week’s game after suffering a calf strain in Week 6 against the Titans, but will return after getting in a limited session on Wednesday and a full practice on Thursday. We’re assuming that means he’s in line for another full practice today.
  • ATL Cornerback #33
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    Billy Bowman (hamstring) is questionable for Week 8 against the Buccaneers.

    Like teammate Divine Deablo, Bowman returned to the practice field Thursday with a limited showing after missing the Week 7 win over the 49ers. The team gives him the questionable designation for Week 8 against the Buccaneers, keeping the door open for a return following one missed game. We’ll gain further clarity when the team released inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick on Sunday.
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    Divine Deablo (forearm) is questionable for Week 8 against the Buccaneers.

    Deablo returned to the practice field in limited capacity Thursday after missing the team’s Week 7 win over the 49ers, keeping the door open for a return to the active game-day roster. We’ll get our final update when the team announces their inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick on Sunday.
  • ATL Running Back #15
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    Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) will not play in Week 8 against the Buccaneers.

    Robinson will miss a second straight game with his hamstring injury, which positions Khalil Herbert to again serve as the backup to Bijan Robinson. Herbert rushed two times for nine yards in last week’s win over the 49ers while adding one reception for 19 additional yards. He will not be on the streaming radar this week.