Fantasy Football News

The Michael Penix-led Falcons exploded for 35 points in Thursday night's win over the Packers. Surely TE Kyle Pitts got on track, right? Right? Nope. Pitts finished with 1 catch for 5 yards. His 2 targets tied with 5 other Falcons for third on the team, behind WRs Drake London and Jahan Dotson. London and RB Bijan Robinson were the engines of the offense, combining for 407 of Atlanta's 498 total yards (82%). Pitts was a total afterthought.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush will start today's game vs. the Panthers, but QB Michael Penix is "nearing a return" and could make his debut vs. the Packers on Thursday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Penix is working his way back from an ACL tear but was fully cleared in mid-August. He and Rush reportedly split first-team reps in practice this week. Penix is no superstar, but he'll be a big upgrade from Rush. WR Drake London will be especially excited to see Penix back. London averaged 20.4 PPR points per game with Penix vs. 13.9 without him across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Consider buying low on London and TE Kyle Pitts over the next few days, especially if they struggle again vs. the Panthers today.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush will start this weekend's game vs. the Panthers, HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday. QB Michael Penix (knee) was a full-go in practice all week but has been ruled out. QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is listed as doubtful. Rush was a disaster last week, throwing for 143 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts combined for 2 catches and 29 yards. The matchup is easier this week against Carolina, but it's tough to have much optimism for this passing game. Check your Team Dashboard to see if London or Pitts belongs in your starting lineup.

Falcons QBs Michael Penix (knee) and Cooper Rush (back) were full participants in Wednesday's practice, while QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was out. Penix and Rush reportedly split first-team reps, and Penix said afterward that he's "close" to being ready to play. HC Kevin Stefanski did not name a Week 2 starter when asked on Wednesday. None of these guys should be in your Week 2 fantasy plans, but Drake London and Kyle Pitts owners should be hoping for Penix ASAP.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts went catchless on one target in Sunday’s road loss to Pittsburgh. It marked his first game without a reception since Week 13 of the 2024 season.

Falcons QB Cooper Rush suffered back spasms Saturday but remains in line to start against the Steelers tomorrow. He moved into the starting role after QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury at practice on Thursday, with undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand out of Minnesota State-Moorhead set to back up Rush.

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for this weekend's game vs. the Steelers after suffering an oblique injury in Thursday's practice. We'll see how much longer he'll be sidelined, and when QB Michael Penix is ready to play after last year's ACL tear. But it'll be QB Cooper Rush under center for Atlanta in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old owns a career 61.1% completion rate and 6.3 yards-per-attempt average. Rush is likely a downgrade even from the current version of Tagovailoa. WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts take a hit in the Week 1 rankings, although both guys are fine to keep in lineups as volume-based plays. The Steelers DST is an elite Week 1 play.

Update: HC Kevin Stefanski labeled Tagovailoa "week to week" on Friday, suggesting that he might be out beyond Week 1.

The Falcons started Drake London and Jahan Dotson at WR in Friday night's preseason opener against the Broncos. London played just two snaps before ending his night, while Dotson played all eight of starting QB Tua Tagovailoa's snaps before they left. Interestingly, those two possessions found the QB seemingly only looking for TE Kyle Pitts.

Falcons QBs Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa are sidelined for the start of training camp. Penix continues to recover from November surgery to repair his right ACL. Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and is expected back next week.

The Falcons have agreed to a three-year extension with TE Kyle Pitts worth $54 million, according to multiple reports. That includes $36 million in guarantees. Atlanta applied the franchise tag in March to keep Pitts from hitting the free-agent market.

The Falcons plan to use the franchise tag on TE Kyle Pitts, according to multiple reports. Pitts would be set to hit free agency for the first time without the tag. Instead, he'll get a one-year deal that's expected to be worth a little more than $16 million.

Falcons beat writer Josh Kendall expects Falcons QB Michael Penix to remain the starting QB "in 2026 and beyond." The second-year QB made nine appearances last season before suffering a partial tear of his left ACL.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), and TE Kyle Pitts (knee) are all active for today’s game vs. the Saints. All three guys were limited in practice throughout the week and won’t be at 100% for this one. Pitts is the most comfortable fantasy start of the trio. London has not looked right the last two weeks, totaling just four catches and 31 yards.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), and TE Kyle Pitts (knee) are listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Saints after being limited in practice all week. HC Raheem Morris said Friday that all three guys are expected to play. London has struggled returning from his PCL injury, catching just four balls for 31 yards over the last two weeks. Pitts is a more comfortable fantasy start, although it's possible that this knee issue contributed to his Week 17 dud. We'll get Atlanta's inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (knee) is not listed on the final Week 16 injury report. He was added on Thursday but was able to get in a limited practice on Friday. We’ll look for any further updates on his status, but Pitts should be ready for his usual role vs. the Cardinals this weekend. He remains a strong fantasy play, despite WR Drake London’s expected return.

Falcons WR Drake London (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Cardinals. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but did not practice on Friday. HC Raheem Morris said that he expects London to play, though. We’ll look for further updates on London, who would come with elevated risk in his first action since suffering a PCL injury back in Week 11. But he’d be very tough to keep out of fantasy lineups if he plays. London sits third among WRs in PPR points per game and topped 100 yards in five of his last six outings. His return dings TE Kyle Pitts’ target outlook, but he remains a solid Week 16 fantasy start.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts was added to the injury report with a knee and limited in practice on Thursday. We don't have any other details, but Pitts' status will be worth checking on again tomorrow. WR Drake London (knee) got in his second straight limited practice on Thursday.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts was dominant in Thursday night's win over the Buccaneers, racking up 11 catches for 166 yards and three TDs. His 45.6 PPR points were the most by any TE in a game this season and the fifth most by a TE in NFL history. Pitts put the entire repertoire on display in this one. He ran crisp routes, made contested grabs, and picked up big yardage after the catch. He looked like the guy that was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 draft -- and the guy that topped 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (knee) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Buccaneers. He was limited in practice on the short week and listed as questionable, but we never heard anything to suggest that the knee is a real concern. Pitts is safe to keep in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Buccaneers. He was limited in practice all week. We haven't heard anything to suggest Pitts is in danger of missing this one, but we'll look for updates on his status and get Atlanta's inactives a little before 7 pm ET tomorrow.