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News

Michael Penix Jr. injury update: Expected to start Week 6 vs. Bears (ribs)

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix is on track to start Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears after fully practicing Wednesday.

By Cole Hartwell

Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears after practicing fully on Wednesday, with head coach Kevin Stefanski saying he will be under center as long as everything goes according to plan.

What happened

Penix suffered a rib injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens and did not return for the overtime period. According to ESPN, he took all the first-team reps at practice Wednesday and told reporters he made every throw while his ribs continued improving.

Stefanski said before practice that Penix would be limited in some fashion, but the QB was listed as a full participant. The coach said he wants to see how Penix feels moving around before determining practice reps.

In the Week 5 loss, Penix was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in overtime. Tagovailoa threw a game-clinching interception as Atlanta fell 30-23.

Penix said he expects to play on Sunday. “They get better every day. I felt good today at practice,” Penix said. “I just gotta stay on top of my rehab and just make sure I’m doing all the right things.”

Context

Penix has played three games this season, totaling 719 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception for 42.2 PPR points. He has played at least 95% of snaps in each game. In Week 5 he had 14.4 PPR points with 240 yards and one touchdown; in Week 4 he had 12.7 points; and in Week 3 he had 15.0 points.

Penix is QB1 on the Falcons’ depth chart. Cooper Rush is QB2 with 9.2 PPR points in two games, Tua Tagovailoa is QB3 with 0.4 points in one game, and Jack Strand is QB4 with 1.0 point in one game.

After an 0-2 start with Rush as the starter, Atlanta is 2-1 in games Penix has appeared in, according to CBS Sports. The Falcons’ offense has averaged 34.3 points and 428.3 total yards per game with Penix under center.

What’s next

The Falcons host the Bears on Sunday, October 18. Penix is expected to start barring a setback.

The Bears will be without defensive end Montez Sweat, who was suspended by the NFL for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy, according to Yahoo Sports.

🏈 Fantasy impact

Penix is a high-end QB2 this week given his solid recent production and the favorable matchup against a Bears defense that will be missing Montez Sweat. He is worth starting in 12-team leagues and deeper formats.

If Penix is surprisingly inactive, Cooper Rush would start. Rush has only 9.2 PPR points in two games this season, so he would be a desperation play. Tua Tagovailoa is also on the roster but has played just one game this season and is not a realistic fantasy option unless he sees significant playing time.

Penix has a Sleeper projection of 15.5 PPR points for Week 6. Given his consistent scoring and high snap share, he should be safe to deploy in most lineups.

Quick answers

What is Michael Penix Jr.'s injury?

Penix has a rib injury suffered in Week 5 against the Ravens. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is expected to play.

Who is the Falcons' backup quarterback?

Cooper Rush is QB2 with 9.2 PPR points in two games this season. Tua Tagovailoa is QB3 with 0.4 points in one game.

Sources

  1. NFL schedule, Week 6 (ESPN)
  2. Player data (Sleeper)
  3. Atlanta Falcons depth chart, QB (Sleeper)
  4. Michael Penix fully participated in Wednesday's practice (NBC Sports / ProFootballTalk)
  5. Michael Penix fully participated in Wednesday's practice (Yahoo Sports)
  6. Michael Penix should be ‘good to play’ vs. Bears despite rib injury (Yahoo Sports)
  7. Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. in line to start vs. Bears barring setbacks after rib injury, Kevin Stefanski says (Yahoo Sports)
  8. Michael Penix Jr. injury update: Falcons QB likely to start this week vs. Bears, but status could change (CBS Sports)
  9. Falcons expect QB Michael Penix Jr. back in starting lineup vs. Bears (The Athletic)

This article was drafted by AI from the sources above and published after every claim passed an automatic check against those sources. Our editor monitors stories and corrects errors. How we work · Report an error