Fantasy Football News: Michael Penix Jr Expected Back Week 9 After Knee Injury

Michael Penix Jr. missed Week 8 against Miami with a bone bruise in his left knee but appears set to return for Week 9. The second-year quarterback picked up the injury during Atlanta's Week 7 loss to San Francisco and has been working his way back through limited practices this week.

Head coach Raheem Morris expressed confidence that Penix would return against New England, saying he expects to see "more Michael" with the first-team offense. Penix echoed that optimism, telling reporters he's "trending in the right direction" after participating in limited practices for two straight days.

Fantasy Impact

Penix Jr. ranks as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy purposes this season. Through six games, he's averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game with a 61% completion rate and 1,409 passing yards. His best performance came in Week 2 against Buffalo when he threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns.

The injury concerns are real but not season-ending. Bone bruises can linger, and Atlanta's offensive line struggles don't help his long-term health prospects. However, the team's conservative approach with the injury suggests they want him healthy for the stretch run.

Kirk Cousins struggled mightily in Penix's absence, completing just 173 yards with no touchdowns against Miami. This reinforces Penix's role as the clear starter when healthy, but also shows Atlanta lacks a reliable backup plan.

Drake London's return from his own hip injury should boost Penix's fantasy ceiling. The duo had developed good chemistry before both got hurt, with London leading the team in receiving yards through six games.

Next Steps

Monitor Friday's practice report and pregame warmups closely. If Penix gets a full practice session, he should be good to go for Week 9. The Patriots defense has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, making this a decent bounce-back spot.

Consider Penix a streaming option in deeper leagues if your starter has a bye week. His rushing ability adds a nice floor, and Atlanta's improved offensive line play over the past month gives him better protection than early in the season.

Long-term, keep backup quarterbacks handy if you're relying on Penix as your starter. The knee injury could flare up again, and his aggressive playing style behind a shaky offensive line makes him a weekly injury risk.

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