Who Should I Start? Justin Fields or Michael Penix Jr.

Thursday, December 11, 1:13 PM

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) is missing a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Fields came down with a sore knee last week and was held out of the Week 14 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old has yet to practice this week and appears headed for another missed game this Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fields lost the starting gig under center to veteran Tyrod Taylor (groin), but Taylor injured his groin last weekend and might also be in danger of being ruled out this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If neither QB gains clearance this weekend, rookie Brady Cook would likely be forced to make his first NFL start. It's really bad news for fantasy managers who were planning on starting any of New York's offensive skill players.

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.