Latest News
Filter by Team
QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news |
Falcons | Zachariah Branch will be out this week, Stefanski says Mon Nov 2, 01:00 PM
Falcons rookie WR Zachariah Branch has a hamstring injury and will be out for this week's game, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday.
| Footballguys view: Branch was injured in Sunday's 16-0 loss to the Buccaneers and did not return. Olamide Zacchaeus took over as the team's primary return man with Branch out. Atlanta takes on the Bengals in Madrid in Week 9. |
Zachariah Branch player page
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Sr. caught 2 passes for 6 yards on 5 targets in Sunday's 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was projected for 7.7 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 1.6.
| Footballguys view: Pitts was wide open for a play that could have been a long score if he hadn't been overthrown, and he would have overcome the biblical rainstorm that made it nearly impossible for both run games to function in this contest. Pitts should still be in fantasy lineups next week against a Bengals defense that just gave up a big game to Titans tight end Gunnar Helm. |
Kyle Pitts Sr. player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 8 of 24 passes for 125 yards and 4 interceptions in Sunday's 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was projected for 14.1 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 2.1.
Link to storyMichael Penix Jr. player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London caught 1 pass for 8 yards on 6 targets in Sunday's 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was projected for 13.6 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 1.3.
| Footballguys view: London left the game briefly for a concussion evaluation. He was quickly cleared. The game was played in a monsoon, so don't read too much into this result. Next week, London and the rest of the Falcons offense will face a Bengals defense that just gave up 36 points to the Titans. Don't despair. |
Drake London player page
Falcons rookie WR Zachariah Branch suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers and did not return.
| Footballguys view: Branch, a third-round pick out of Georgia, won the team's starting kick returner job out of training camp and has been solid thus far. The rookie has yet to carve out a role in the Falcons offense. With Branch out, the Falcons turned to veteran wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to fill in as the return specialist. |
Zachariah Branch player page
Falcons WR Drake London is back on the field during Sunday's game at the Buccaneers.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Falcons WR Drake London was evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers and was listed as questionable to return. He was evaluated after taking a hit following an incompletion. London later had his helmet on and was standing with the offensive group that appeared ready to take the field. London was also evaluated for a concussion in last Sunday's game against the 49ers and returned to that game.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Falcons WR Drake London is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. London was also evaluated for a concussion during last Sunday's game against the 49ers before returning to that game.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus is questionable for Sunday's Week 8 game at the Buccaneers. He is one of eight Falcons players listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.
| Footballguys view: The Falcons offense has been hyper-concentrated on Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr. Almost any spillover has gone to Jahan Dotson or Brian Robinson Jr. Even if Zaccheaus is active, he's a touchdown-or-bust option for managers with no better options. |
Olamide Zaccheaus player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, his second straight missed game with a hamstring injury. Robinson is the only Falcons player ruled out. The Falcons elevated RB Khalil Herbert to replace Robinson in last Sunday's win over the 49ers, and Herbert played well in his first action with the team, particularly on special teams, where he returned two kicks for 65 yards.
| Footballguys view: Herbert was respectable with his three touches last week while Brian Robinson Jr. was sidelined, and he should maintain that role in Week 8. However, Bijan Robinson is the only running back who matters here. He's an elite RB1 this week against the Buccaneers, and only the most desperate managers should even consider Herbert, whose value will rely almost entirely on his unlikely ability to get into the end zone. |
Brian Robinson Jr player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson Jr. did not practice on Thursday because of a hamstring injury. It was his second straight missed practice, putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers in question.
| Footballguys view: Khalil Herbert will get the work as the primary backup to Bijan Robinson is Brian Robinson has to miss another game. Herbert rushed two times for nine yards in the Falcons' Week 7 win over the 49ers. |
Brian Robinson Jr player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) did not participate in practice on Wednesday as the team began preparations for Sunday's Week 8 game at Tampa Bay. Robinson missed last Sunday's win over the 49ers, when RB Khalil Herbert was elevated to the game day roster and served as RB Bijan Robinson's backup. Herbert got a couple of carries that were impactful within drives that resulted in points.
Link to storyBrian Robinson Jr player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 25 of 34 passes for 213 yards with 3 touchdowns in Sunday's 29-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He was projected for 15.3 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 20.4.
| Footballguys view: Penix posted his best fantasy showing of the year against a 49ers defense that seemed tired heading into the bye. The Falcons face a tough Bucs pass defense next week, so Penix is not a priority pickup to cover Brock Purdy's bye from the waiver wire for Week 8. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons WR Drake London returned to Sunday's game against the 49ers just a few plays after he was evaluated for a concussion. London had been listed as questionable to return while being evaluated.
| Footballguys view: As Pro Football Focus noted, while some teams have had terrible wide receiver luck, the Falcons have stayed relatively healthy at the position this season. But a healthy London is a difference maker for the Falcons and fantasy managers. With seven catches for 66 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, London was WR11 through Sunday's late-afternoon games. The Falcons play the Buccaneers in Week 8. |
Drake London player page
Falcons WR Drake London is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the 49ers. He is questionable to return.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Falcons WR Drake London was taken to the blue medical tent for evaluation during Sunday's game against the 49ers. London appeared alert enough to still be "chirping at the ref" about the play on which he was hurt.
Link to storyDrake London player page
There is "much less optimism" that Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus (shoulder) will play on Sunday. Zaccheaus is listed as questionable for the game.
Link to storyOlamide Zaccheaus player page
The Falcons activated CB A.J. Terrell Jr. on Saturday. The team also placed Michael Jerrell on injured reserve and signed DE Drake Jackson to the active roster.
Link to storyA.J. Terrell Jr. player page
Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus (shoulder) is listed as questionable on the Week 7 injury report. Olamide Zaccheaus was limited in Friday's practice.
Link to storyOlamide Zaccheaus player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 7 game against the 49ers. Atlanta has carried only two running backs on its active roster through the first six games, and with Robinson out, the team will elevate RB Khalil Herbert to serve as the backup running back.
Link to storyKhalil Herbert player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson Jr. has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 7 game against the 49ers with a hamstring injury. Robinson first appeared on Wednesday's injury report as a limited participant before being ruled out on Friday.
| Footballguys view: Not like you were thinking about benching Bijan Robinson, but his path to being this week's top-scoring running back clears with the backfield to himself. Khalil Herbert and rookie Jam Miller are on the practice squad, and one will likely be called up. But expect Bijan Robinson to handle most, if not all, of the touches. |
Brian Robinson Jr player page
Falcons RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) is "headed the wrong direction on the injury report" as of Thursday. Atlanta's injury report this week is "a very long" one ahead of Sunday's game against the 49ers.
| Footballguys view: From limited to DNP is not a good sign for Robinson's availability. If he misses Week 7, Bijan Robinson would be backed up by someone off the practice squad as Atlanta does not have three backs on the active roster. Currently, the Falcons have both Khalil Herbert and Jam Miller on the practice squad. |
Brian Robinson Jr player page
The Falcons are signing veteran QB Andy Dalton, The Athletic's Jeff Jones reported on Monday. Dalton, most recently with the Eagles, will compete with QB Tua Tagovailoa to back up starter Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta is releasing QB Cooper Rush to make room, so undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand stays on the roster.
| Footballguys view: Atlanta will be Dalton's seventh NFL team and his third in the NFC South. The 38-year-old Dalton was traded from Carolina to Philadelphia in March and played in one game for the Eagles, throwing an interception while Jalen Hurts was being checked for a concussion. The Eagles cut him shortly after that, but when Hurts had to go on injured reserve with a blood clot, they wanted Dalton back. Dalton had other offers. The best offer came from the Falcons. |
Andy Dalton player page
Cooper Rush player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. made an early trip to the injury tent during Sunday's loss to the Bears. A smiling Penix declined to explain the visit afterward: "I did go into the injury tent. I'm not going to say what that was about. Just say I am good."
| Footballguys view: Penix was injured a week ago when he left Sunday night with a rib injury. The first notice that he had an issue on Sunday was when the Fox broadcast showed him going to the tent. He hadn't missed a play when the Falcons had the ball up to that point. It wasn't obvious whether Penix had reinjured his ribs or if something else had happened. Penix completed 19 of 33 passes for 225 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions against the Bears, and he ran just once for 1 yard. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Jahan Dotson caught 3 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown on 5 targets in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was projected for 5.0 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 16.2.
Link to storyJahan Dotson player page
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Sr. caught 5 passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns on 7 targets in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was projected for 6.8 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 20.5.
| Footballguys view: Pitts scored two garbage-time touchdowns that ended up not being garbage time, as they turned a 24-point deficit into an 8-point gap late in the game and made the Bears sweat out the final moments. Kyler Gordon sacked Michael Penix Jr. on the decisive play, focring a fumble that Chicago recovered to end the Falcons' last drive. Pitts is back to being a boom/bust TE1 after a very slow start to the season that might have gotten him dropped in some leagues. |
Kyle Pitts Sr. player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 19 of 33 passes for 225 yards with 3 touchdowns and lost 1 fumble in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was projected for 15.0 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 19.1.
| Footballguys view: Penix ended up with his best fantasy result of the season mainly because the Bears jumped out to a 31-7 lead. He has a good connection with Jahan Dotson in the downfield passing game and Kyle Pitts Sr. in the red zone, so Penix's fantasy value might not rely solely on Drake London's big games. He's a boom/bust streaming QB1/QB2/Superflex heading into a game against the 49ers at home. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson ran 9 times for 61 yards and also caught 2 passes for -8 yards on 2 targets in Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was projected for 20.7 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 6.3.
| Footballguys view: The Bears are going to do this to opponents occasionally this season. The Falcons had just over seven minutes of time of possession in the first half and were down by multiple scores at halftime. There's not much Robinson could have done to avoid the fantasy dud. The Falcons have another treacherous matchup against the 49ers next week. |
Bijan Robinson player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (ribs) is off the injury report and good to go for Sunday's game against the Bears. Penix was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
| Footballguys view: Penix exited late in last week's game after taking a shot to the ribs. Tua Tagovailoa came in and quickly ended the game with a horrific interception. Falcons fans will hope that's the last time they'll see Tagovailoa this season. Penix isn't much of a rusher, so this injury shouldn't impact his fantasy projection. He'll have a great matchup against a Bears secondary that's been getting gashed all year. He sneaks into the streamer discussion this week for managers with quarterbacks on bye. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons WR Drake London was limited in practice on Friday with a hip injury. LB Divine Deablo (hamstring), OT Jake Matthews (groin) and DE Za'Darius Smith (neck) were also limited.
| Footballguys view: London wasn't on Wednesday's or Thursday's injury reports, so Friday's addition isn't worth ignoring. London has been on fire since Michael Penix Jr. returned, and a matchup against a pedestrian Bears secondary should set him up for a big game. We'll keep an eye out for more information. A limited practice is better than a DNP, but we'll keep our ear to the ground before we can accurately assess what's happening here. |
Drake London player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. was on the practice field on Thursday. Penix is dealing with a rib injury but was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Penix will likely start, barring setbacks.
| Footballguys view: Penix is practicing in full as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the Bears. It's good news for the Falcons, but Fantasy GMs should look at Penix as a QB2 or option in superflex formats. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (ribs) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier Wednesday that Penix will likely start Sunday against the Bears, barring setbacks.
Link to storyMichael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is set to practice on Wednesday despite a rib injury. Rapoport called it "a good sign for his availability this weekend" for Sunday's game against the Bears.
| Footballguys view: Potentially good news for the Falcons here. Well, anything to keep Tua Tagovailoa off the field. Penix's rib injury was described as "not considered serious" on Monday after he left Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Penix is feeling better and will likely start Sunday against the Bears, assuming no setbacks, Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.'s rib injury is not considered serious. Penix might be able to play in Sunday's Week 6 game against the Bears, but the team wants to be cautious and see him practice this week before determining whether he will be able to play.
| Footballguys view: Penix said he expects to be "ready to go [this] week" after leaving Sunday's loss to the Ravens, and QB Tua Tagovailoa finished the game in overtime. Penix is obviously the preferred option. We'll continue to monitor his progress throughout the week. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. will undergo further imaging on Monday after injuring his ribs on a big hit in the final moments of regulation in Sunday night's overtime loss to the Ravens. He does not believe the injury will keep him out long term: "Knowing me, I am going to be ready to go next week because I've sat out enough in my career."
| Footballguys view: Penix tried to work through the pain on the sideline but could not return for overtime, saying, "I did not feel like I was going to be able to give our team what we needed to be able to win that football game because of the pain that I was feeling." Tua Tagovailoa replaced Penix and threw an interception two plays into Atlanta's final drive. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Atlanta Falcons RB Brian Robinson ran 7 times for 16 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was projected for 7.7 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 1.6.
Link to storyBrian Robinson Jr player page
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts caught 5 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown on 6 targets in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was projected for 5.0 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 12.7.
Link to storyKyle Pitts Sr. player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London caught 7 passes for 118 yards on 11 targets in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was projected for 15.2 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 15.3.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. was diagnosed with a rib injury on Sunday against the Ravens and was officially listed as questionable to return, but "for all intents and purposes, he's out." Penix suffered the injury on a hard hit late in the fourth quarter; QB Tua Tagovailoa came in to throw one pass before Penix returned to finish the drive. Tagovailoa then took over in overtime with the Falcons trailing 30-23.
Link to storyMichael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Ravens with a ribs injury. QB Tua Tagovailoa will come into the game in overtime.
Link to storyTua Tagovailoa player page
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has returned to Sunday's game against the Ravens after being injured in the fourth quarter.
Link to storyMichael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. was slow to get up and jogged off the field with 19 seconds left in a tie game against the Ravens on Sunday. QB Tua Tagovailoa was set to take his first snaps for Atlanta in his place. Penix later returned to the game.
Link to storyTua Tagovailoa player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Jahan Dotson caught 2 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown on 3 targets in Monday's 45-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was projected for 3.5 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 12.4.
Link to storyJahan Dotson player page
Atlanta Falcons RB Brian Robinson ran 14 times for 62 yards and three touchdowns and also caught 1 pass for 5 yards on 1 target in Monday's 45-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was projected for 5.2 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 25.2.
Link to storyBrian Robinson Jr player page
Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson ran 19 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns and also caught 1 pass for 2 yards on 2 targets in Monday's 45-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was projected for 21.2 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 27.2.
Link to storyBijan Robinson player page
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. will get all the first-team reps this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Thursday. Stefanski said it will be the first full week that Penix gets all of the first-team work. Penix returned to the lineup in Atlanta's Week 3 win over the Packers.
| Footballguys view: Penix completed 18-of-25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Falcons' 35-14 Week 3 win over the Packers. He did that without a full week of practice with the first-team offense. Against the Saints on Monday night, we've got Penix as a low-end QB2. |
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa said Tuesday he is not 100% recovered from his oblique injury.
| Footballguys view: Fortunately, with Michael Penix Jr. back in the mix -- and coming off a strong showing in his 2026 debut -- Tagovailoa has time to recover fully. To that point, Tagovailoa said he is embracing his role as the backup, saying, "This is the job description right now." Fantasy investors with Drake London shares should be satisfied with the QB pecking order, too. |
Tua Tagovailoa player page
Michael Penix Jr. player page
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts caught 1 pass for 5 yards on 2 targets in Thursday's 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers. He was projected for 7.7 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 1.0.
Link to storyKyle Pitts Sr. player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London caught 9 passes for 194 yards on 10 targets in Thursday's 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers. He was projected for 12.5 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 23.9.
Link to storyDrake London player page
Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson ran 29 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns and also caught 2 passes for 19 yards on 2 targets in Thursday's 35-14 win over the Green Bay Packers. He was projected for 19.2 fantasy points (half-PPR) and finished with 34.3.
Link to storyBijan Robinson player page































