Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 13

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told the media Saturday that rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will not play in the remainder of the preseason.

"We feel really good with where we're at with Michael," Morris said, via McElhaney. "Mike showed us, last week, enough that we don't have to play him in the preseason." As a result, Penix did not play Saturday against the Ravens and will not play Friday against the Jaguars. Penix threw for 104 yards on 9-of-16 passing in his preseason debut. The question now becomes when will we see Penix play again. Kirk Cousins isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Falcons had raved about Penix since before the draft and this quote is just the latest example.

The 65-yard touchdown pass that Dontayvion Wicks caught in stride on the third play of Saturday's preseason opener at the Cleveland Browns was reminiscent of the 17 deep balls that Jordan Love connected on last year.

Only two quarterbacks hit on more throws of 25 or more air yards last season: New Orleans' Derek Carr and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa with 19.

As perfect as that throw looked against the Browns on Saturday as it floated 27.7 yards in the air, according to NFL Next Gen Stats tracking, it's easy to forget that even with 17 deep-throw connections last season, Love's completion rate on those passes was no better than 15th among all quarterbacks.

Working to improve Love's 34.7% success rate on throws of 25-plus air-yards has been a focus in training camp, the story said. So even though it was a preseason game, it was Love's first deep attempt in live action - and it was a success. The story added last year Love struggled to hit his speed receivers on deep throws, many of which were under thrown. Love's fantasy value seems to be on the rise and he's surrounded by a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Success on deep throws will only help continue his climb. Love is currently ranked 10th on our QB list.

Falcons WR Rondale Moore, who was carted off from practice yesterday, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Related Players: Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, Casey Washington, KhaDarel Hodge

Moore had apparently been losing some snaps to McCloud through training camp, so this most likely pushes Ray-Ray into the starting lineup with Moore out for the year. Consistent targets for whoever steps up will be a very difficult task, with Drake London and Kyle Pitts (and Bijan Robinson) expected to take a massive chunk of the target share.

Rondale Moore leaving the field on a cart with an inflatable cast on his right leg. Falcons teammates gathered around him before he left field and now gathered in prayer.

Related Players: Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, Casey Washington, KhaDarel Hodge

Moore had apparently been losing some snaps to McCloud through training camp, so this most likely pushes Ray-Ray into the starting lineup if Moore ends up missing time. Regardless, neither slot guy is especially attractive for fantasy purposes, with Drake London and Kyle Pitts (and Bijan Robinson) expected to take a massive chunk of the target share.

Following yesterday’s practice, Justin Herbert was diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot.

Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot — followed by a graduated return to play protocol — with the expectation that he will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Related Players: Easton Stick, Max Duggan

Ah yes, just what we needed; more bad news for the Chargers' passing game. Easton Stick should be stashed away in (very) deep SuperFlex Dynasty leagues, but doesn't move the needle in redraft leagues. If Herbert misses time in the regular season, the entire offense needs to be downgraded in fantasy.

The 'Fins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.1 million guaranteed,.

Tua should be considered a fringe QB1 until Tyreek Hill hits an age cliff, which doesn't seem to be anytime soon. This locks the QB with Mike McDaniel, making him valuable in Dynasty as well.

Panthers signed former Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins, who spent the past two seasons with the Buccaneers, where he was with Carolina HC Dave Canales.

Related Players: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore, Terrace Marshall

Thompkins could have a long road to make the team after being released by the Buccaneers earlier this offseason. The former Utah State Aggie was taken as a UDFA in 2022, and has 35 total targets through his first two seasons.

Indianapolis could still make a move. However, for now, it appears the team is content with former third-round pick Trey Sermon stepping in as the second-stringer. Evan Hull appeared in just one game last year as a rookie due to a torn left MCL, but he was a good pass catcher coming out of Northwestern and will have a shot to supplant Tyler Goodson in that role with the Colts if he has a big summer.

We've been down this road before. Sermon earned 41 carries in his rookie season with the 49ers, before heading to the Eagles to notch exactly two more. He got the nod for a majority role last season in Week 15 and performed well, turning 17 attempts into 88 yards. We wouldn't suggest making any moves in redraft or best ball leagues for now, but a deep dynasty stash would make sense.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is in the building for the start of Dolphins OTAs. The QB is slated to become the next quarterback to receive a big payday, but the sides are in negotiations. Tagovailoa said he was planning on attending the workouts.

Tua should be good to go for 2024, with one of the best receiving duos in the league. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain respective WR1 and WR2s in fantasy.

The Cardinals are trading WR Rondale Moore to the Falcons for QB Desmond Ridder.

Related Players: Drake London, Darnell Mooney

Moore should slot in as the WR3, and will likely be used in a gadget-y role every so often. That won't be enough for fantasy relevance, and the team could still add a piece through the NFL Draft for Kirk Cousins.