Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Cameron Ward

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.

Saturday, December 20, 1:35 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Ward completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns with a season-high 101.2 passer rating in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has largely struggled this season, totaling 12 touchdowns to 16 turnovers and taking a league high 49 sacks. Positively, he's taken only one sack and committed one turnover in the past two games, but faces another challenge on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have allowed the fifth fewest passing touchdowns and the 12th fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Ward profiles as a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 16.