Atlanta Falcons News

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Brian Robinson • RB • Falcons

Brian Robinson Quietly Carving Out Standalone Value

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson is clearly the No. 2 option in this backfield, but he has quietly carved out standalone value early in the 2026 season. The backup to Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson has emerged as more than just a handcuff through the first three weeks. Over his last two games, he has 21 carries, 101 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and 16 receiving yards. He has scored at least 8.7 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last two contests, delivering flex-level production in most leagues. Fantasy managers who have Bijan Robinson on their roster should scoop up Brian Robinson in a heartbeat, as he's one of the top handcuffs in fantasy football. However, there's also a case to be made for him to be claimed by managers who don't have the Falcons' starter.

11 hours ago

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Impresses in Successful Injury Return on Thursday

In his first game back since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 11 of 2025, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was effective. The 26-year-old completed 18 of 25 pass attempts for 256 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and led his team to a 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Atlanta finished the game with nearly 250 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, which kept Penix Jr. from having to do too much with his arm. Still, the third-year quarterback averaged a highly efficient 10.2 yards per pass attempt and helped power a massive game from star Falcons wideout Drake London, who recorded nine catches for 194 yards on 10 targets. Penix Jr. offers zero upside with his legs and will likely often be handing the ball off to Falcons running back Bijan Robinson when the team gets near the goal line, both of which limit his fantasy value. At the same time, Penix Jr. could establish himself as a solid QB2 option for fantasy managers if he can stay healthy.

4 days ago

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Drake London Finds His Stride in Quarterback's Return

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London caught nine of his 10 targets for 194 yards during Thursday's Week 3 win over the Green Bay Packers. London had finished with single-digit fantasy points in his first two games this season, so it was quite refreshing to see him bounce back with a huge performance on primetime television. It should come as no surprise that his breakout game lined up with the return of Michael Penix Jr., offering a major quarterback upgrade for the star receiver. As long as Penix stays healthy, London should continue to operate as a mid-range WR1 in fantasy football. Additionally, even though he didn't find the end zone on Thursday, we expect him to possess significant touchdown upside going forward. He should be started in all fantasy leagues ahead of a must-watch game between the Falcons and Saints in Week 4.

4 days ago

Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson Breaks Out for More Than 200 Scrimmage Yards

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson totaled 29 carries, 194 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Thursday's Week 3 win over the Green Bay Packers. He also caught two passes for an additional 19 receiving yards, bringing him to a total of 213 scrimmage yards in the effort. This was a truly exceptional performance, even by Robinson's high standards. He has now posted at least 31.3 fantasy points (PPR) in two of his three games so far, and he's averaging 25.9 fantasy points per game in 2026. The superstar running back was one of many players to benefit from the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who got the offense back in good shape after a 0-2 start under Cooper Rush. As long as Penix stays healthy, this offense will remain competitive and Robinson will continue to push for the overall RB1 title in fantasy football.

4 days ago

Zachariah Branch • WR • Falcons

Zachariah Branch Still Off the Flex Radar in Week 3

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch reeled in both of his targets in Week 3 for 14 yards. It is something worth monitoring, as the team's 2026 third-round draft pick could carve out a role with fellow wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus doing little to start off 2026, although that has mostly been the case for everyone on Atlanta not named Bijan Robinson. Still, there was some buzz surrounding Branch in camp, and with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) now back under center for the Falcons, there should be a bit more effectiveness to this offense. Put the 22-year-old on the watch list for now, but there is little reason to use him in Week 3 in a road matchup against the Packers, as the Georgia product is ranked at WR No. 103 this week at RotoBaller.

5 days ago

Jahan Dotson • WR • Falcons

Jahan Dotson a Risky Flex Play with Little Upside in Week 3

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson has garnered four targets in each of the team's first two games, hauling in three of the eight for 30 yards. Although he is technically Atlanta's No. 2 receiver behind Drake London, the Penn State product could end up as the fourth option at best now that Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has returned from his knee injury. The left-handed QB played eight full contests in 2025 and looked at London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson quite often, leaving very little for the other receiving options. We'll see if that changes on Thursday night in Green Bay for Atlanta's Week 3 contest, but as the team eases Penix back in and likely leans on the running game for as long as possible, don't expect much more from the 26-year-old wideout until we see otherwise. The former first-rounder ranks as a risky low-end flex play this week who has a low ceiling and a floor of zero in this matchup.

5 days ago

Brian Robinson • RB • Falcons

Brian Robinson Hanging Around Low-End Flex Territory in Week 3

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson (ankle) saw an uptick in usage in Week 2, carrying the ball 11 times for 51 yards while also seeing and catching his first two targets of the 2026 campaign for 16 yards. A soft Carolina run defense and the fact that the game was well out of hand by the end of the third quarter were contributing factors, but this week's matchup could prove a bit tougher. The Thursday Night Football showdown on the road in Green Bay carries a low over/under of 42.5, with Atlanta having an implied point total of just 19, and features a Packer defense that is yielding just 2.9 yards per rush, which is second-lowest in the NFL. The 27-year-old should continue to see his fair share of carries as he spells Bijan Robinson and maintains his status as one of the top handcuffs in the league, but the Alabama product projects as nothing more than a low-end flex/RB5 at RotoBaller this week.

5 days ago

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Faces Tough Test in Week 3 Return on TNF

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is set to make his season debut in Week 3 on Thursday Night Football, which will be a road contest against the Green Bay Packers. The former first-rounder represents an upgrade at quarterback, with backup QBs Cooper Rush and Jack Strand filling in at quarterback for the Falcons' first two contests. While it is an upgrade for Atlanta, fantasy expectations should be tempered, as the left-handed QB averaged only 225 yards passing in the eight full games he played last year while posting a 9:3 TD:INT in those contests. The University of Washington product wasn't a factor in the run game with his legs either, and there's no reason to believe that will be any different after the return from his knee injury. Green Bay's defense yielded three passing scores in Week 1, but just one in Week 2, and has given up just 175 passing yards per game, which is top 10 in the league. As it stands, the 26-year-old sits at the bottom of the barrel in terms of QB rankings for Week 3 at RotoBaller, so there are likely better streaming options available on waiver wires and he'd be quite the gamble in DFS contests.

5 days ago

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr. More Attractive with Upgrade at QB

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has posted back-to-back duds to begin the season, totaling one catch on four targets for 15 scoreless yards. It's a disappointing start for fantasy managers expecting much more after setting career highs in multiple statistical categories a season ago. The good news is that he will no longer have the likes of Cooper Rush and Jack Strand throwing to him, rather, it will be Michael Penix Jr. (knee) who will make his season debut on Thursday night in a road matchup against the Packers. Pitts averaged over six targets and four catches per game last year with Penix under center, so expect an uptick in productivity. The matchup against the Packers is just so-so on paper, with the team allowing 10 receptions for 80 yards and a score through two games thus far in 2026. While the upgrade at QB is certainly a welcome sight for Pitts managers, in a game that isn't expected to be high-scoring (42.5 O/U), the 6-foot-6 tight end projects as a mid-range TE2 this week at RotoBaller.

5 days ago

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Drake London a WR2 with Upside for TNF After Return of Quarterback

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London has recorded five targets in each of the team's first two games, but has come away with just a total of six catches for 80 yards and no touchdowns. That can largely be attributed to some poor quarterback play, but that should not be the case in Week 3 against the Packers. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will make his season debut on Thursday, and the left-handed QB was not shy about looking London's way in 2025. The 6-foot-4 wideout averaged over 10 targets, more than six receptions, and 86 yards per game in the eight full contests Penix played with London last season. Thursday brings a matchup against a Green Bay defense that has allowed four receiving touchdowns through its first two games, although the yardage totals have been modest (175 yards/game). Though there is an upgrade at quarterback, London still doesn't crack the top 12 this week at RotoBaller, as the 25-year-old projects as more of a high-end WR2, but if he and Penix can rekindle the chemistry from last year, there is plenty of upside, too.

5 days ago

Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson Still a Top-Five Back in Week 3 Despite Tough Matchup

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is coming off a solid yet unspectacular performance in Week 2, in which he gained 72 yards on 16 carries while catching three of his four targets for nine receiving yards. The two-time Pro Bowler's underwhelming performance was more so because the Falcons were limited to just three points with QBs Cooper Rush and Jack Strand under center, however, the outlook is slightly better in Week 3 as Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will make his season debut on Thursday against the Packers. Green Bay has limited rushers to just 2.9 yards per carry through two weeks, which is second-best in the NFL, however, they've also yielded three rushing touchdowns, which is third-most in the league. The 24-year-old is still projected to be a top-five back this week and is always a candidate to score, but it could be a challenge against the stout Packers run defense, and with Atlanta owning an implied point total of just 19 for Thursday Night Football.

5 days ago

Tua Tagovailoa • QB • Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa to be Active on Thursday Night

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) will serve as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup for the Thursday night game in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, a source told James Palmer of the NFL Network. Tagovailoa was all set to start in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers before he injured his oblique just days before in practice. He was eventually ruled out, and he also sat out of the team's Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers. There was a previous report that suggested that once Penix recovered from his partially torn ACL that he suffered last year, the Falcons could consider releasing Tagovailoa, but that apparently will not happen, at least not for now. After starting Cooper Rush in the first two games of the season, Atlanta's QB room is now fully healthy, with Penix set to make his season debut on Thursday Night Football, and Tagovailoa backing him up. As long as Penix stays healthy this season, Tagovailoa will most likely remain as the Falcons' backup, giving him little fantasy football appeal.

6 days ago

Brian Robinson • RB • Falcons

Brian Robinson Returns to Full Practice on Tuesday

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson (ankle) was listed as a full participant in practice on Tuesday, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Robinson opened the short week with a limited showing in practice on Monday, but now that he is back to full-go, he should be on track to dodge the final Week 3 injury report and play on Thursday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. In his first two games for the Falcons in 2026 as the team's RB2, B-Rob has handled 20 rushing attempts for 82 yards (4.1 yards per carry) while catching both of his targets for 16 yards. The former third-rounder by the Washington Commanders in 2022 from Alabama does not really have any standalone value as long as Bijan Robinson remains healthy, but he is one of the better handcuff options for fantasy football managers in an offense that should improve now that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is ready to make his season debut in Week 3.

6 days ago

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Falcons Looking to Get Kyle Pitts Sr. More Involved?

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is taking accountability and said that it is on the offensive staff to get tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. more touches, according to Will McFadden of the team's official website. "We take a lot of pride in that, and getting him going is something that's important to us," Rees said. After a strong 2025 season in which Pitts caught a career-high 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 starts, he has started off his 2026 campaign slowly with just one catch on four targets for 15 yards through two games. It sounds like the Falcons could grease the squeaky wheel in Week 3 on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, and it will help the 25-year-old's cause that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been cleared to make his first start of the year after suffering a partially torn ACL late last year. Savvy fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on Pitts now that Penix is ready to roll.

6 days ago

Brian Robinson • RB • Falcons

Brian Robinson Limited in Practice on Monday

Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant on his team's Monday injury report, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Atlanta held a walkthrough rather than a full practice on Monday, so Robinson's status ahead of the team's Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football is an estimate. Across the first two games of 2026, Robinson has recorded 98 scrimmage yards on 22 touches. The 27-year-old is the Falcons' clear RB2 behind superstar back Bijan Robinson. If Brian Robinson is unable to play on Thursday, Bijan Robinson could be in for an even larger workload than usual against Green Bay.

7 days ago

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Set to Start for Falcons in Week 3

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been named the team's starting quarterback for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, per Tori McElhaney of atlantafalcons.com. Penix Jr. has missed the first two games of the 2026 season while working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign in Week 11. Across nine games before getting injured last year, the 26-year-old completed 60.1% of his pass attempts for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Penix Jr.'s return should provide a massive upgrade in quarterback play for Falcons wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., both of whom have gotten off to slow starts to the year while catching passes from Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Penix Jr.'s own production outlook is uncertain, as he's now suffered three major knee injuries and two major shoulder injuries since the start of his college career in 2018. Still, Penix Jr. profiles as a worthy waiver-wire target in two-quarterback formats now that he will be back on the field in Week 3.

7 days ago

Brian Robinson • RB • Falcons

Brian Robinson Remains an Appealing Handcuff Option on the Waiver Wire

Two games into the 2026 NFL season, Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson has recorded 20 carries for 82 yards and two receptions for 16 yards on two targets. Robinson Jr. logged 13 touches in Atlanta's blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Still, the 27-year-old is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant usage on a consistent basis as long as Falcons superstar back Bijan Robinson stays healthy. On the other hand, Bijan Robinson has recorded 48 touches across the first two games of the season, putting him on a 17-game pace to top 400 touches. While Bijan has been extremely durable to this point in his NFL career, there's always a chance that the heavy workload could start to catch up to him. If Bijan Robinson were to suffer an injury, Brian Robinson Jr. would profile as the clear RB1 in Atlanta. Fantasy managers looking for a priority handcuff option may want to target Robinson Jr. on the waiver wire.

7 days ago

Tua Tagovailoa • QB • Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa "Getting Better"

When asked about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) on Monday, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he is "getting better," according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We'll work through what that means for this week, but definitely is getting better." The 28-year-old former Miami Dolphins QB was on track to start in the Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers before injuring his oblique just days before in practice. He has been inactive for the team's first two games of the 2026 season, and with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) potentially making his season debut in Week 3 on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, Tagovailoa's time in Atlanta could already be up. Stefanski is not tipping his hand on the QB situation on Monday, even on a short week, but it would be very surprising if Tagovailoa gets the nod over Penix, Cooper Rush, or even undrafted rookie Jack Strand on a short week.

7 days ago

Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson Underwhelming In Blowout Loss To Panthers

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson failed to find the end zone in a relatively tame output in the Falcons' blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers. Robinson rushed 16 times for 72 yards and caught two passes for 16 receiving yards but did not score a touchdown as the team struggled in a 34-3 loss to Carolina. The effort for Robinson was disappointing given that he was one of the top two picks in fantasy drafts. The 72 rushing yards are not a terrible output, but the fact that he and the team failed to score a touchdown is a huge letdown, especially against a Panthers defense that allowed 50-plus points in Week 1 to the Chicago Bears. The Falcons are currently playing their third-string quarterback in Cooper Rush, so that definitely hampers the offense. There are early reports that Michael Penix could return for Week 3, so that would help the entire offense, including Robinson's output.

Sep 20

Jack Strand • QB • Falcons

Jack Strand Makes Regular-Season Debut vs. Panthers

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Jack Strand made his regular-season debut in Week 2 after entering Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons were down 34-3 in the third quarter, with Cooper Rush completing 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Strand played in three preseason games for Atlanta, completing 24 of 36 passes (66.7% completion rate) for 306 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. The 22-year-old had a 63.8% completion rate over four seasons playing at Minnesota State Moorhead with a 126:50 TD:INT ratio.

Sep 20

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