Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or Michael Penix Jr.

Wednesday, November 26, 3:18 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday that they officially activated quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) from Injured Reserve, and he will make his return on Thursday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. Burrow has finally recovered from surgery to fix a turf-toe injury that he suffered in Week 2. The 28-year-old franchise QB was very close to returning last weekend, but he was held out of the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. Cincy's offense will receive a big boost as they look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Burrow has been practicing in full and will take on a Ravens defense that has been much better of late as they have gotten healthier. He will be without receiver Tee Higgins (concussion), but All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase is returning from a one-game suspension. Even with the long layoff, Burrow will be in play as at least a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers in his return.

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.