Who Should I Start? Tyrod Taylor or Michael Penix Jr.


Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts. Rush. Yds. Rush TD Rec. Rec. Yds. Rec TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tyrod Taylor News

Justin Fields Inactive, Tyrod Taylor Active as Backup QB in Week 16

Sunday, December 21, 12:06 PM

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, while Tyrod Taylor (groin, knee) will be active as the QB2 behind undrafted rookie Brady Cook. Both quarterbacks were questionable heading into Sunday, with Fields' status more in doubt after being limited in practice this week. As a result, the 2021 first-round pick will at least serve as the emergency QB3 in Week 16. Taylor was expected to serve as the backup to Cook after logging a full practice on Friday. Cook shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option against a New Orleans Saints defense that has been stingy against the pass in recent weeks. In his NFL debut last weekend, Cook threw three interceptions with just one passing score and 176 passing yards.


Week 1 Projections

Fant. Pts. Rush. Yds. Rush TD Rec. Rec. Yds. Rec TD
19.2 9.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Michael Penix Jr. News

Michael Penix Jr. Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery

Friday, February 6, 7:48 AM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said on the Up & Adams Show on Friday that his recovery from knee surgery is a "little bit" ahead of schedule. Penix suffered a torn left ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, but he's hoping he'll be ready to roll for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. The 25-year-old has already recovered from two ACL tears in his right knee in college, so he's pretty familiar with the rehab process. He's been attacking his rehab diligently since having surgery on Nov. 25, but there's no guarantee that Penix will be ready for Week 1, making him an extremely volatile QB2 target in fantasy football drafts this fall. Before his knee injury, the former eighth overall pick out of Washington was extremely inconsistent in nine starts in his first year as the full-time starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs, and three picks.


Tyrod Taylor vs. Michael Penix Jr.

Still trying to decide between Taylor and Penix Jr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tyrod Taylor is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Michael Penix Jr. is projected to score 19.2 points.