Michael Penix Jr. Fantasy Stats

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who remains limited to seven-on-seven work at mandatory minicamp this week as he continues to rehab from a surgically repaired ACL, said that "the expectation" is for him to be ready for 11-on-11 team drills during training camp this summer, also he added that he'll need clearance from his doctor for that to happen, according to Will McFadden of the team's official website. McFadden writes that in anything movement-related, Penix has "looked sharp and shown no signs of discomfort." But the Falcons are taking a cautious approach with the former first-rounder. "Each and every day I'm trying to get better," Penix said after practice. "Doing whatever I can to help this team win football games, that's the ultimate goal." It sounds like Atlanta's true QB competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa won't come until Penix can do everything in training camp. The 26-year-old Penix is a major durability concern with a lengthy history of torn ACLs, and without a guaranteed starting job, his fantasy stock has fallen considerably heading into 2026 in both dynasty and redraft formats.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11 work yet at mandatory minicamp, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "He's exactly where he needs to be," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We will just continue to lean on medical and Mike." The Falcons like where Penix is at in his rehab from a torn ACL in his left knee last year, but they aren't rushing the 26-year-old back. Newcomer Tua Tagovailoa has gotten a head start on Penix during offseason workouts as he learns a new offense in Atlanta, but the Falcons don't appear ready to officially open up their QB competition this offseason until Penix is fully cleared to resume team drills in training camp this summer. With all that said, Penix isn't a lock to be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July, which would certainly put him behind the eight ball as he looks to regain the starting job under center going into the 2026 regular season. At best, the injury-prone Penix, who has torn his ACL three times dating back to college, will be a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues this year if he's named the starter. Whoever wins the Falcons' QB job will be on a short leash.

When asked if quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be cleared for 11-on-11 team drills during mandatory minicamp, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see." Penix is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered last November, and the longer he is held out of team drills, the more former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will gain a leg up in the QB competition this summer. Stefanski is on record saying that he thinks accuracy is the most important trait for a signal-caller, and for all of his faults, Tagovailoa has historically been great in that area -- he led the league in 2024 with a 72.9% completion percentage. A lot can still happen between now and Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but it is clear that Tagovailoa has a head start over the injured Penix in a new offensive scheme in Atlanta this year. Whoever wins the QB job for the Falcons to begin the season probably isn't going to have a very long leash, so they should be considered a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues. Penix, specifically, has seen his dynasty/keeper stock tumble dramatically since last year after yet another torn ACL in his knee.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is getting closer to participating in 11-on-11 drills during offseason workouts, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Penix is still not ready to be a full-go in offseason practices after having surgery in the middle of November last year to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee. With Penix struggling as the full-time starting QB in 2025 before tearing his ACL, the Falcons went out and signed former Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa to give them insurance at the position. Although Penix, the former eighth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Washington, is expected to compete for the starting QB job in training camp this summer, he could be fighting an uphill battle at this point. The good news is that Penix took part in seven-on-seven drills during OTAs, and he could be a full-go for practices by the time camp starts at the end of July. Still, there's no guarantee Penix will be starting games in 2026, even if he's fully recovered from knee surgery this summer.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has not yet been cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills during OTA practices, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee last year and underwent season-ending surgery in mid-November. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Washington has already taken part in 7-on-7 drills and has done individual work during the Falcons' offseason program, but he's still behind as he eventually looks to compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting QB gig this summer in training camp. Reports have suggested that Penix is doing great in his rehab, but until he's at full speed, he'll be fighting an uphill battle to win the starting QB job to open the 2026 campaign. There are plenty of playmakers in Atlanta in an offense that could improve under Stefanski, but Penix's injury history alone -- he tore his ACL twice in college -- has seriously put a damper on his long-term fantasy outlook.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will split first-team reps during organized team activities this month, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "It's all very intentional," Stefanski said. Kendall reports that Penix looks good throwing on the field, but he isn't doing any team drills yet. Penix, who is recovering from the third ACL surgery of his career dating back to college, has made good progress, but the Falcons are still unsure if he'll be fully cleared for the start of training camp at the end of July. Although Tagovailoa's stock is way down after flaming out in Miami, he should be considered the favorite right now to win the starting QB gig going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season until Penix is fully healthy. Tagovailoa has been much more accurate in his career than Penix, but he hasn't been very effective pushing the ball down the field. The former fifth overall pick has the experience and health edge over Penix, making him the better QB2 sleeper target in superflex leagues going into fantasy drafts later this fall.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was seen taking part in the team's offseason program on Tuesday at the team's facilities, six months removed from tearing his left ACL on Nov. 16 of last year in a game against the Carolina Panthers, reports ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Penix threw to receiver Drake London in Georgia. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick out of the University of Washington in 2024 has suffered three torn ACLs in the last eight years after he tore his right ACL twice in college. With his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall in question, Atlanta signed former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal in March. The Falcons are on record as saying that Penix will compete with Tagovailoa for the starting gig under center when he's healthy this summer. Penix believes he'll be ready for Week 1 in early September, but the Falcons haven't been clear on a timeline for when the lefty will be back. Penix has disappointed in his two seasons in the NFL, completing 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions in just 14 games (12 starts). Durability concerns alone have caused Penix's dynasty fantasy value to plummet this offseason. He's currently ranked 27th at the QB position in dynasty formats at RotoBaller.

Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan acknowledged on 680 The Fan that "you just don't know" where quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is "going to be" for the start of training camp in late July. However, Ryan is confident with how Penix has approached his rehab after tearing his ACL in 2025. "Mike's in a good spot right now. As far as expectations, we don't really know what to expect at the beginning of training camp," Ryan said. The Falcons don't plan to rush Penix back to the field, which could give new QB Tua Tagovailoa a leg up in the competition for the starting job under center in Atlanta going into Week 1 of the 2026 regular season. Penix's dynasty stock is dropping quickly after he had surgery for another torn ACL in his knee back in November. It's the third time since college that he's suffered a torn ACL. The 25-year-old lefty signal-caller was mediocre before his injury in his first full year as the Falcons' starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts. Penix will need to get healthy first, and then he'll need to improve his accuracy to have a chance to beat Tua out. It's looking more likely that Penix is going to enter the start of next season as Atlanta's backup.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has made 12 starts in his young career, beginning his rookie season behind veteran Kirk Cousins before taking over in Week 16. Year two began with the roles reversed, until Penix tore his ACL in Week 11, his fifth season-ending injury and third ACL tear dating back to his college days. Across nearly a full year of professional starts, the eighth overall pick from the 2024 Draft has gone 4-8, throwing for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. While Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix from the same draft class have all shown signs or outright proof that they can be franchise cornerstones, the outlook is still unclear on Penix. While he has a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, the Falcons brought in a new coaching staff and signed former Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal. Their camp battle will be one to watch, as both players are essentially fighting for their future in the league, and if neither player impresses in the first year of the new regime, it would surprise nobody if the franchise explored new options in what currently projects to be a loaded 2027 draft class. Penix will be 26 by the start of his third season and sits at QB26 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, eight spots higher than Tagovailoa.

Atlanta Falcons new head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team isn't going to rush quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) rehab from a torn ACL that he suffered last season, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. The Falcons aren't putting a timetable on Penix this offseason after his season-ending knee injury in Week 11 of 2025. However, there have been reports that Penix is expected to be ready to return to action at some point in training camp this summer. By then, it could be too late for the former first-rounder out of the University of Washington if Tua Tagovailoa has already impressed the coaching staff in the competition for the starting QB job in 2026. Penix has torn the ACL in his knees already three times, dating back to college, so the Falcons have every reason to take it slow with the lefty signal-caller. Tua probably has the inside edge on the job in his first year in Atlanta, and Penix's lengthy injury history is ruining his dynasty/keeper stock. Depending on how Penix's rehab goes in the coming months, he could open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.