Who Should I Start? Justin Herbert or Michael Penix Jr.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.5 | 22.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Justin Herbert News
Tuesday, August 25, 9:47 AM
The plan is for all of the Los Angeles Chargers starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams, minus safety Derwin James and pass-rusher Khalil Mack, according to Alex Insdorf. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been effusive in his praise of Herbert as he learns his offense this summer. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2020 from Oregon had at least 4,000 passing yards in each of his first three years in the NFL, but he is now on a run of three straight seasons with fewer than 4,000 yards. In 16 regular-season starts in 2025, Herbert threw for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions behind a bad offensive line in L.A. If the Bolts' offensive line can protect Herbert better, he will have a great chance to return to the 4,000-yard passing mark in 2026 in his seventh NFL season under McDaniel. RotoBaller currently has Herbert ranked as the No. 7 fantasy QB, behind only Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Drake Maye.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Michael Penix Jr. News
Tuesday, August 25, 10:09 AM
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski is not speculating as to whether quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will realistically have a chance to win the starting QB job over Tua Tagovailoa, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "I can't speculate on those types of things," Stefanski said. "I want to really stay in today with Mike and see how he does in practice. I really have to stay in the moment with this one. Let's see how he feels after today." Penix was cleared last week by his surgeon to return to full 11-on-11 practice work, and that happened for the first time in training camp on Monday. After tearing his ACL last year, Penix went 4-for-8 passing on Monday in 11-on-11 drills. He and Tagovailoa are expected to continue splitting first-team reps in practice, and there is still no timetable for Stefanski to name a starter for Week 1 of the regular season. Even though Tagovailoa has not been great this summer, he still figures to be the favorite to start in Week 1. Regardless of who is under center for Atlanta to kick off the regular season, they will be on a short leash and will have minimal upside as a QB2 in two-QB superflex fantasy leagues.
Justin Herbert vs. Michael Penix Jr.
Still trying to decide between Herbert and Penix Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Justin Herbert is projected to score 25.5 points this week while Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 8.3 points.
Latest Fantasy News
