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.

Tuesday, November 25, 12:00 PM

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward completed 28 of 42 pass attempts for 256 yards and a touchdown and added 37 yards and a touchdown on six rushing attempts in his team's Week 12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After the game, Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy said that Ward's ability to take what the defense was giving with his legs is the "next part of his growth." The 23-year-old has now rushed for 70 yards over the last two weeks after recording 46 rushing yards over the first nine games of his NFL career. If Ward is going to continue to utilize his legs, it would obviously be a boost to his fantasy value. The rookie has struggled overall this season, but his performance against Seattle in Week 12 could be a sign of a late-season breakout. Ward could profile as a solid fantasy QB2 in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.