MichaelPenix Jr.

News: 2 days agoFalcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix (knee) will be inactive for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Spin: While addressing the media shortly after the Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starter Monday, Stefanski noted that Penix had taken part in only six 11-on-11 practices during training camp, so the third-year quarterback will need some more time to get back to full speed following last November's ACL tear before making his 2026 debut, per Raimondi. The Falcons were pleased enough with Penix's progress to wait until less than a week before the opener to name a starter, which suggests that he'll likely get a chance to supplant Tagovailoa atop the depth chart at some point this season. While Penix is in street clothes for Week 1, Cooper Rush will step in as Tagovailoa's backup, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand will serve as the No. 3 quarterback.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Penix is no longer guaranteed a starting job entering his third season. The 2024 first-round pick has appeared in 14 games and has 14 total touchdowns, a 21% off-target rate and a 60% completion percentage to show for it. Penix has done well to avoid turnovers (six career INTs), but he's a nonfactor with his legs (career 28-81-2 rushing) and failed to post a single fantasy outing better than 10th last season. Penix tore an ACL in Week 11, which further complicates his path to beating out newcomer Tua Tagovailoa for the team's Week 1 starting gig. The 26-year-old might eventually emerge into a fine NFL starter, but even if he does, his lack of rushing will limit his fantasy output. He's well off the fantasy radar.