Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 6

The Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta is over. There was one?

There was. For fourteen games. After five subpar performances, Cousins has been benched for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

It’s no surprise, given the things Morris said after Monday night’s unexpectedly tight win over the Raiders, and then earlier today, the story pointed out. As the story also added, it's a pretty stunning move considering the team is coming off a win, and they gave Cousins a contract with $100 million guaranteed. Of course, Penix was the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft this past spring. It's tough to tell what fantasy owners will get if they need to start Penix this week, as it will be a bit of a risky call given it's likely a fantasy playoff game. The weapons are certainly there for him to have some success, and, it's a home game against the Giants. Owners can probably view him in the QB2 range for those type of leagues.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris stopped short of saying Kirk Cousins remains the team’s starting quarterback after Monday night’s 15-9 win over the Raiders and he didn’t cross that line on Tuesday either.

“We just got back,” Morris said, via Josh Kendall of TheAthletic.com. “We still have to go through that process. All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position.”

Related players: Michael Penix Jr.

Morris was asked again if Cousins will get the start against the Giants on Sunday in Week 16 and he again didn’t rule out any move involving Cousins or Penix, the story went on to say. Morris cited the team’s late return from Las Vegas while saying that they still need to go through their process to decide the best path to winning games, the story added. The Falcons did get the win in Week 15 but it wasn't pretty. The Falcons get the Giants in Week 16 - so it's either a matchup to try and get Cousins back on track, or a matchup to give your rookie QB his first start. Several teams like the Browns and Titans have already made QB changes this week. Those owning Cousins and counting on him for this week should probably have a backup plan.

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is practicing once more, as he trends towards playing for the first time since Nov. 14.

I did not see Dallas Goedert (knee), Sydney Brown (knee), or Reed Blankenship (concussion). Britain Covey (neck) and Johnny Wilson (hamstring), who were limited yesterday, are present.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Grant Calcaterra

Calcaterra will have a great matchup against the Panthers secondary, but he can safely be left on waiver wires.

As for Smith, it looks like his hamstring is all healed up, which makes him a low-end WR2 in a game the Eagles should be able to do whatever they want on offense.

The Eagles listed WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) as a full participant on today's estimated injury report.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey

Fantastic news for the Eagles, who decided to simply lean on Saquon Barkley with their WR2 void in Week 13. This should hopefully add lump humph to Jalen Hurts' menial passing totals, with Smith considered a fringe WR2/3 in Week 14.

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

Baker Mayfield got stepped on in the third quarter and initially worried that he might have suffered a season-ending injury.

Related players: Kyle Trask

Trask replaced him, but it turned out to be a one-play absence for the quarterback. Mayfield said, "I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before and they say it feels like you got cleated. Obviously, not knowing what exactly happened that’s what I thought I did. It was a little painful, but I got taped again and went back out there.” Mayfield should be good to go despite not having his best game in Week 13. The Bucs host the Raiders in Week 14 in the early Sunday window.

Raheem Morris said WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney will be good to go for Week 13. CB Mike Hughes is likely to be OUT. Morris is hoping for CBs Dee Alford and Antonio Hamilton Sr. to return.

Related Players: Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge

Good news for Mooney's hamstring and London's hip. The Bye week clearly came at the perfect time. Consider each as WR2 options against the Chargers in Week 13.

Austin Ekeler's tests last night came back 'good', Dan Quinn said. But Ekeler will be in the concussion protocol. So, too, is Andrew Wylie. Brian Robinson is getting treatment for his ankle. Will know more later in the week.

Related players: Jeremy McNichols, Nick Bellore

The Commanders have a home game against the Titans, which falls in the early window on Sunday in Week 13. Owners should have time to make adjustments if they are game-time calls. Players in protocol have mostly missed the following week of action, so Ekeler's status appears in doubt. Robinson owners will need to monitor his practice status this week. If both backs aren't able to go, McNichols could have a big role. McNichols hasn't had double-digit carries this season, but has turned in some fantasy relevant games on limited work, including 7-42-0 on Oct. 20, 7-44-1 on Oct. 6 and 8-68-2 on Sept. 29.

Eagles ruled out WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) for Sunday against the Rams.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Dallas Goedert

It's a bit of a crapshoot as to who the "WR2" on the offense will be, but now that he's ruled out, Brown and Goedert should get a nice boost to their bottom line. That would lock Goedert into a no-doubt TE1 role in Week 12.

Nick Sirianni had no update on WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), who hasn’t practiced yet this week.

“We’ll see by the end of today.”

On QB Jalen Hurts (ankle), who was limited on Wednesday:

“He’s good to go.”

Related Players: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Dallas Goedert

It can be a crapshoot when Smith misses time as to who the "WR2" on the offense will be, but if he doesn't get any practice in tomorrow, Brown and Goedert could end up getting a slight boost to their bottom line. That would lock Goedert in to a no-doubt TE1 role in Week 12.