Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or C.J. Stroud

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.

Monday, December 15, 12:50 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was surgical in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals, completing 22 of 29 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns while adding six carries for 10 yards on the ground. Stroud threw a 57-yard touchdown to wide receiver Nico Collins on his first throw of the game and continued to operate efficiently for the rest of the game. The 24-year-old signal-caller has played well since returning in Week 13 from a multi-game absence due to a concussion. He's totalled 738 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception over that time. Stroud will look to continue his strong stretch of production in a plus Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.