Who Should I Start? Dillon Gabriel or Michael Penix Jr.

Monday, November 24, 9:30 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will serve as the backup option for the upcoming Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Gabriel sat out of Sunday's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders due to a concussion. On Monday, Gabriel cleared concussion protocol, but was named the backup for at least one game. Shedeur Sanders played well in his absence and will draw at least one more start for the Browns. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he won't name a starter past this week, so Gabriel could take over again if Sanders struggles.

Wednesday, November 26, 1:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.