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Michael Penix leads Falcons to first win of season

Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Player Stats

Michael Penix completed 18-of-25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Falcons’ 35-14, Week 3 win over the Packers.

The final stat line looks more impressive when you consider Penix started the game 1-of-5 passing with an interception, settling into the game from there to go on to complete 17 of his final 20 pass attempts. As was the case during his rookie season, Penix leaned on his top option through the air, feeding Drake London 10 targets that the talented receiver parlayed into a gaudy 194 yards, with no other pass-catcher surpassing the 19 yards receiving of running back Bijan Robinson. The Falcons improve to 1-2 on the young season while handing the Packers their first home opener loss in 14 years. Penix has all the look of an upside QB2 and deserves streaming consideration ahead of a road matchup with the Saints in Week 4.

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Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

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Michael Penix Jr. completed 25-of-34 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 29-20, Week 7 win over the 49ers.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix completed 19-of-33 for 225 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ Week 6 loss to the Bears.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix (ribs) is active for Week 6 against the Bears.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix has been removed from the injury report and will play in Week 6 against the Bears.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix (ribs) is practicing in full for Week 6 against the Bears.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix (ribs) will practice Wednesday.

“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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reports there’s “optimism” that Michael Penix (ribs) will be able to play in Week 6 against the Bears.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix (ribs) said he doesn’t believe his injury will be a long-term issue.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Falcons QB Michael Penix (ribs) is questionable to return to Week 5 against the Ravens.

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.
Michael Penix

ATL Quarterback #9

Michael Penix completed 15-of-20 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown in the Falcons’ 45-24, Week 4 win over the Saints.

Penix wasn’t asked to do much with his arm as the Falcons tied a franchise record with five rushing scores, but the threat of consistent and reliable passing has done wonders for a Falcons offense that looked lost through two games behind poor quarterback play. It also doesn’t hurt when your All Pro running back goes for a 59-yard touchdown on his first touch of the game. The Falcons were never threatened by an underperforming Saints team after jumping out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter. Penix has yet to be called on for increased passing volume through two starts, something that could change, pending the health of Lamar Jackson, in Week 5 when they host the Ravens. Penix remains a middling QB2 and does not warrant starting in all formats outside of two-quarterback leagues.

Rotoworld

Emari Demercado

DAL Running Back #31
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Cowboys declared WR KaVontae Turpin, LB Dee Winters, OT Drew Shelton, OLB Tyrus Wheat, and RB Emari Demercado inactive for Week 7 against the Eagles.

No real surprises here after KaVontae Turpin was ruled out earlier in the week, with the biggest impact being how the team will handle kick and punt returns on special teams. The Cowboys continue to inch closer to full strength as they near the half way point in the regular season, desperately needing a win over the shorthanded Eagles to keep pace in the NFC East.
- Mark Garcia

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Saquon Barkley

PHI Running Back #26
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Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is active for Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Barkley returns from a two-game absence, which could not have come at a better time for a team missing its starting quarterback and top two wide receivers. The divisional tilt against the Cowboys is a game of great importance to each team as they look up at the division-leading Giants as we approach the half way point in the regular season. Although Barkley could see his touches monitored in his first game in three weeks, fantasy gamers that waited him out through the weekend are likely forced to ride with the veteran for lack of other options. Inactive for the Eagles are OLB Nolan Smith, WR DeVonta Smith, WR Dontayvion Wicks, QB Cole Payton, DB Michael Carter II, and OL Jake Majors.
- Mark Garcia

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Christian McCaffrey

SF Running Back #23
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Kyle Shanahan said Christian McCaffrey has a “mild” hamstring strain.

That explains McCaffrey’s brief departure in the team’s Week 7 loss to the Falcons, when the veteran alpha missed most of the second quarter but returned for the second half. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan added that he believes McCaffrey will be fine when the team comes out of their Week 8 bye. “We’re pretty optimistic,” he said Monday. Fantasy managers appear to have dodged a bullet with the first-round fantasy powerhouse but will want to continue to monitor reports from the team through their bye.
- Mark Garcia

Injury

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James Conner

ARI Running Back #6
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Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said James Conner could “potentially” return this season.

Conner has been on injured reserve all season while continuing to work his way back from the brutal foot/ankle injury he suffered last season. If he does return, Conner will join a fairly crowded backfield and would be nearly impossible to trust in fantasy as long as Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier are both healthy.
- Zachary Krueger

Injury

Source: Theo Mackie

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Jeremiyah Love

ARI Running Back #4
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Jeremiyah Love (ankle) is expected to practice on Wednesday.

This news comes from head coach Mike LaFleur, who spoke with the media on Monday. After missing the last two games with a nagging ankle issue, Love’s return to the field in any capacity suggests he could have a chance to suit up in Week 8 against the Cowboys. Love’s ankle injury slowed his production through the first five weeks of the season, with the rookie saying at one point that he would “probably just hinder the team” if he had to play through it. Love’s status will be one to watch throughout the week, but even if he’s active, he’ll likely be forced to split touches with either Tyler Allgeier or Bam Knight, who has been solid in Love’s absence.
- Zachary Krueger

Source: Darren Urban

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Matthew Golden

GB Wide Receiver #0
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Packers listed Matthew Golden (shoulder/foot) as a DNP on Monday’s estimated injury report.

Golden has been dealing with the shoulder injury since last week, but the foot injury is a new one. While this is only an estimated injury report, the DNP is still mildly concerning for Golden, with the Packers playing on a short week. His status will be one to monitor in the coming days, but hopefully this is a minor issue. Golden played the entirety of the game in Week 7’s loss to the Lions and didn’t appear to be hampered by any nagging issues. We’ll see if he get upgraded to a limited participant on Tuesday.
- Zachary Krueger

Injury

Source: Rob Demovsky

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Bryce Young

CAR Quarterback #9
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Panthers listed Bryce Young (knee) as a full participant on Monday’s estimated injury report.

Young was listed with the same knee injury last Friday but remained a full participant and was good to go in Week 7. Whatever issue he’s dealing with appears minor, especially if the team is still listing him as a full participant. At this point, there’s no reason to think he won’t be active for Week 8’s game against the Packers on Thursday night.
- Zachary Krueger

Injury

Source: Joe Person

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Jalen Coker

CAR Wide Receiver #18
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Panthers listed Jalen Coker (shoulder) as limited on Monday’s estimated injury report.

The Panthers won’t have their first official practice until Tuesday, but Coker would have been limited on Monday had the team been on the field. Coker caught one pass for nine yards in Week 7’s loss to the Buccaneers. His struggles came on a day when the entire Panthers offense was stymied for much of the day, so hopefully he’ll be in line to bounce back against the Packers on Thursday if he is active.
- Zachary Krueger

Source: Joe Person

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Dillon Gabriel

CLE Quarterback #6
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Browns activated Dillon Gabriel from injured reserve.

In a corresponding move, the Browns waived TE Carsen Ryan to make room for Gabriel, now the fourth quarterback on the team’s 53-man roster. Gabriel is buried on the depth chart behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, and would need a lot to break right for him to have a chance to play this season.
- Zachary Krueger

Source: Mike Garafolo

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Jack Bech

LV Wide Receiver #18
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Raiders designated Jack Bech (forearm) to return from injured reserve.

His 21-day practice window will open this week. Bech could, in theory, start eating into Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker’s snap counts. The Raiders are probably pretty happy with how Tucker has played, though, and Nailor is more of a fit as an outside receiver than Bech is. The 2025 second-rounder is worth monitoring but not exactly someone you should be stashing ahead of his return.
- Rivers McCown

Transaction

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