Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Bryce Young
Week 3 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.8 | 7.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Michael Penix Jr. News
Monday, September 21, 12:46 PM
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has been named the team's starting quarterback for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, per Tori McElhaney of atlantafalcons.com. Penix Jr. has missed the first two games of the 2026 season while working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign in Week 11. Across nine games before getting injured last year, the 26-year-old completed 60.1% of his pass attempts for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Penix Jr.'s return should provide a massive upgrade in quarterback play for Falcons wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., both of whom have gotten off to slow starts to the year while catching passes from Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Penix Jr.'s own production outlook is uncertain, as he's now suffered three major knee injuries and two major shoulder injuries since the start of his college career in 2018. Still, Penix Jr. profiles as a worthy waiver-wire target in two-quarterback formats now that he will be back on the field in Week 3.
Week 3 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.8 | 18.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bryce Young News
Monday, September 21, 12:19 PM
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has gotten off to a fantastic start to the 2026 season, completing 63% of his pass attempts for 648 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception across two games. The 25-year-old has also logged a rushing touchdown, and he appears to be in full command of a Panthers offense that has scored 71 points so far this year. While Carolina operated a run-heavy system in 2025, Young is averaging 36.5 pass attempts per game early on in 2026. The Panthers also have a favorable run of matchups coming up on paper, as they will play the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 and host the Detroit Lions in Week 4. In leagues where Young remains available, he profiles as a priority waiver-wire target for fantasy managers coming out of Week 2.
Michael Penix Jr. vs. Bryce Young
Still trying to decide between Penix Jr. and Young? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 17.8 points this week while Bryce Young is projected to score 23.8 points.
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