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NFL: The Insiders fantasy football takes on Michael Penix Jr.
Every source-backed podcast insight STACKED has extracted from NFL: The Insiders about Michael Penix Jr..
28
Insights
13
Positive
5
Negative
Insight ledger
All NFL: The Insiders insights about Michael Penix Jr.
PositiveInjuryOct 14, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is considered day to day with a rib injury suffered in Sunday night's game against the Dolphins in overtime; he was playing well before the injury tightened up and got cold on the sideline, forcing him out. There is optimism the injury won't keep him from playing again this Sunday versus the Bears, and if he is able to practice, there is a pretty good chance he will be able to play and continue the really strong play he has shown since returning from his knee injury.NegativeInjuryOct 13, 2026
Penix was sacked by linebacker Tavius Robinson with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter with the score tied in Sunday Night Football between the Falcons and Ravens; he stayed down briefly but walked off under his own power. In overtime, Tua Tagovailoa got his first reps, throwing an interception. Penix acknowledged post-game that he was not where he needed to be to help the Falcons win in that moment, suggesting injury concerns limited his availability in a critical game situation.PositiveProjectionOct 8, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. has invigorated the Falcons offense, which has scored 80 points in his last two games compared to 16 in the first two. He has completed 9 of 15 passes of at least 10 air yards, and his downfield passing ability has opened up the run game, which has exceeded 200 yards in both of his starts.PositiveBreakoutOct 8, 2026
Michael Penix has invigorated the Falcons' offense, which has scored 80 points over the last two games. He has shown efficiency on downfield passes, completing 9 of 15 attempts of 10+ yards, which could be an advantage against the Ravens' defense.PositiveRoleOct 7, 2026
The Falcons' offense looks significantly different and runs much better with Michael Penix Jr. behind center, having scored 80 points over the last two weeks.PositiveBreakoutOct 7, 2026
The addition of Michael Penix Jr. has transformed the Falcons' offense, which is now scoring 40 points per game and looking explosive.PositiveRoleOct 6, 2026
The Falcons are a different team with Michael Penix, scoring 80 points in two games since he took over as the starter.NegativeProjectionOct 1, 2026
Michael Penix started slow but finished nearly perfect in his last three quarters of play.PositiveRoleSep 30, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. settled into the Falcons' offense as the game progressed against Green Bay, showing resilience after a shaky start and helping the team secure a strong finish.PositiveRoleSep 25, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start for the Falcons, with Lance Zerline noting that his ability to stretch the field and back off safeties should benefit Bijan Robinson, who has faced high-density boxes in the first two weeks.PositiveRoleSep 24, 2026
The Falcons have high confidence in Michael Penix Jr. for Thursday night, noting he has had extra practice time to ramp up and feels better physically and mentally after simulating contact during scout team work.PositiveProjectionSep 24, 2026
Michael Penix is set to make his NFL debut this week against the Packers after recovering from offseason knee surgery and gaining extra practice time.PositiveInjurySep 24, 2026
Michael Penix has returned to action.NegativeProjectionSep 23, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is set to make his season debut for the Falcons on Thursday night. Opponents are treating him like a rookie due to his lack of recent playing time.PositiveRoleSep 23, 2026
Michael Penix is set to make his debut as the Falcons' starting quarterback this Thursday, having been cleared following his recovery from a knee injury.PositiveDepth ChartSep 21, 2026
The Falcons have officially announced that Michael Penix Jr. will make his NFL debut this Thursday against the Packers.NegativeInjurySep 19, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a reconstructed ACL and the team hopes he can return sooner rather than later, but he is not yet confident enough to play.NegativeRoleSep 18, 2026
There is speculation that Michael Penix Jr. could start for the Falcons this week; he was a full participant in Thursday's practice.NegativeRoleSep 17, 2026
Michael Penix is working his way back from off-season knee surgery and splitting practice reps with Cooper Rush. The team is waiting for him to reach full physical and mental comfort before clearing him to take hits in a game.NegativeInjurySep 12, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is currently not healthy enough to start. He has been progressing through practice but still needs to clear the hurdle of absorbing contact in a game setting before he is fully ready to play.NegativeDepth ChartSep 9, 2026
Michael Penix will be inactive for Week 1, which is not the role he desired.NegativeRoleSep 5, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from his third ACL reconstruction and is currently in a holding pattern. While he possesses significant upside, he has not yet taken contact in practice. The Falcons are hesitant to start him until he is fully ready for game action, making his health the primary factor in the team's quarterback decision.NegativeRoleSep 5, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. is progressing from an ACL injury but has struggled in the preseason; the team plans to keep four quarterbacks on the roster, and Lance Zierlein suggests he could see the field if the starter struggles or faces injury.NegativeInjuryAug 27, 2026
Michael Penix is progressing in his recovery from an ACL injury and has been cleared for 11-on-11 practice. He will not play in the preseason finale to prioritize his health, but he expresses confidence in being ready for Week 1.NegativeInjuryAug 19, 2026
Michael Penix Jr. has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, making a true quarterback competition with Tua Tagovailoa currently impossible.NegativeDepth ChartJul 21, 2026
Penix, drafted 8th overall by the Falcons, is competing with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job. Mark Ross notes Penix showed promise in his limited time, particularly with connections to Drake London and Kyle Pitts, but the competition will come down to health—Penix is coming off injury and Tua has a long injury history.NegativeInjuryJun 25, 2026
Penix, one of the most injured quarterbacks in the league, will get a chance to start for the Falcons but will suffer a season-ending injury; he and Tua Tagovailoa will rotate as starters with whoever can stay out of the training room getting the nod each week, before both eventually get hurt and Trevor Simeone takes over.NegativeInjuryJun 24, 2026
Penix is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 11, which is his third ACL tear in seven years; he was in a great mood during mandatory minicamp and said he'd be ready to go right now if they allowed him; however, there's more pressure on him to get back because the Falcons brought in Tua Tunga-Vailoa, meaning Penix could be fighting for his starting job; he was drafted by a prior regime and everyone involved in that pick is now out of the building with Kevin Stefanski coming in.