Falcons QB Michael Penix will be inactive Week 1

Sep 07, 2026

The Falcons will be starting Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 against the Steelers and they won’t be turning to Michael Penix if they decide to make a change during the game.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said at a Monday press conference that Penix will be inactive for the season opener. Cooper Rush will be the backup to Tagovailoa.

“We’re all on the same page, and feel good about where he is heading,” Stefanski said about Penix, via Tori McElhaney of the team’s website.

Related players: Jack Strand

Fantasy Impact:

Penix was cleared for full football activities in late August and did not play in the preseason, but Stefanski said that he has been pleased Penix’s progress as he returns from a torn ACL, the story said. A story came out with Penix, himself, saying he wasn't ready to play yet. Stefanski did not say when he thinks Penix will be ready for game action or what the quarterback depth chart will look like once that’s the case, the story added. The team added Rush this offseason and seems high on Strand as well but Rush will be the QB2.

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Rams expect to have WR Puka Nacua Thursday

Pro Football Talk

1 hour ago

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson are both on the team’s active roster on Monday and the team isn’t expecting that to change ahead of their opener against the 49ers.

“Yeah, absolutely,” McVay said when asked if he expected the pair to be available, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. “That’s what I’ve heard. I haven’t heard anything different.”

Fantasy Impact:

As the story points out, the status of Nacua could change at some point in the future, but it looks like Puka will be a go for Thursday night against the 49ers. Of course, Nacua had some off-field issues which are leading to questions about potential league discipline this season.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey not spotted at practice

Matt Maiocco on X

1 hour ago

Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey were not taking part in drills in the early portion of 49ers practice that was open to the media. George Kittle is practicing.

Related players: Kaelon Black, Jordan James

Fantasy Impact:

The Niners, of course, are in Australia preparing for this week's game against the Rams Thursday night. McCaffrey was dealing with tightness and missed time all through camp but later came out and said it was all planned. So, this could be part of the plan as well. Hopefully there is no need to panic as we're less than four days away from this game. There should be plenty of eyes on CMC leading up to Thursday night, but owners should always be sure to have a backup plan.

Falcons to go with QB Tua Tagovailoa

Pro Football Talk

2 hours ago

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start on Sunday against the Steelers.

The Falcons finally made the choice today, just six days before the start of the regular season, according to multiple reports.

Related players: Michael Penix, Jack Strand, Cooper Rush

Fantasy Impact:

As the story pointed out, Tua was the favorite all along, but really had an up and down camp and offseason. In the end it wasn't necessarily a competition as Penix was coming off an ACL injury and wasn't healthy enough to really push Tua until later in August. The QB2 hasn't been named yet but probably depends on if Penix is healthy enough. Strand got some positive press this summer, but something would probably have to go wrong for him to see QB1 work early in the season. This feels like a year where we see both Tagovailoa and Penix in multiple games and neither should be counted on as a longer-term solution to your QB spot, even in deeper two-QB or superflex leagues.