Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Bucky Irving
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
Wednesday, August 12, 12:14 PM
Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was told by a doctor that he has "an amazing ACL" and that he shouldn't "have any more knee problems for the rest of your career." It seems like a pretty optimistic statement for a player who has already torn his right ACL twice (in college) and who suffered a partial tear of his left ACL last year while playing for the Falcons. Penix has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills in training camp this summer, but after this glowing report on his left knee, that could change sooner rather than later. Still, the former first-rounder from the University of Washington has lost valuable time in the QB competition with Tua Tagovailoa. Head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to name a starter for the start of the 2026 regular season, but it would be a big surprise if Tua wasn't the guy. Penix could get another opportunity under center as the starter in Atlanta in 2026, but it might take an injury or poor performance from Tagovailoa for it to happen.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 | 56.8 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 19.1 | 0.1 |
Bucky Irving News
Friday, August 7, 8:28 AM
The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving is making a big impression on new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson in training camp. "His feet are always in the ground," Robinson said. "So he's always able to change direction and, obviously, that keeps him so balanced to be able to break tackles." Irving missed all of the team's organized team activities in May and June while rehabbing a shoulder injury, but he is back now and is looking quick and decisive since pads went on this past week. "Bucky is a stud," Robinson said. Irving had a great rookie year in former OC Liam Coen's outside-zone running scheme, and Robinson's and Coen's offensive styles are similar. The 23-year-old had a 1,000-yard rushing season with eight touchdowns as a rookie, but injuries slowed him down in 2025, and he finished with 588 rushing yards and only one TD in 10 games. A bounce-back in 2026 should be coming for Irving if he stays healthy, but injury risk and the addition of pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell figure to limit Irving's overall ceiling as more of an RB2 in his third NFL campaign. Stroud also mentions Gainwell's seamless transition to Tampa's RB room.
Michael Penix Jr. vs. Bucky Irving
Still trying to decide between Penix Jr. and Irving? 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 8.3 points this week while Bucky Irving is projected to score 12.7 points.
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