Falcons in Kirk Cousins' corner, not planning to play Michael Penix Jr.
Thu Dec 12 3:38pm ET
Field Level Media
Six interceptions in the past two games and zero wins since Nov. 3, quarterback Kirk Cousins is on the hot seat with fans in Atlanta. But he's still on firm footing as the starter with the only one that matters, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
Morris remains committed to Cousins and delivered his strongest statement yet on resisting the temptation to install rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. as the starter any time soon.
"I told you right from the beginning, he's our future," Morris said of Penix. "... And to be able to have the respect, to be able to have the confidence, to be able to have the wherewithal to support Kirk and all this stuff, too, it's a great learning lesson for him as well. So, when you go through all that process, you can look at different organizations [that have] pulled the trigger and put guys out there too early and it's gone terrible, and I don't want to be that guy."
Morris said Penix will play "when it's time" without expounding on his timeline for the rookie, or the organization's view on when it could consider a switch.
The Falcons were 6-3 after back-to-back wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys when the wheels fell off for Cousins and the Atlanta offense. The Falcons have scored 57 points in the past four games, all losses, since combining for 58 points in those consecutive victories.
Atlanta is on the road this week for a "Monday Night Football" matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder could be on the field for the Raiders if Aidan O'Connell is ruled out with a knee bruise. O'Connell said he's "hoping to get there" after being carted off the field last week.
Morris said the Falcons are supporting Cousins but did suggest he's throughly involved in reviewing the performance of all positions.
"So to say benching doesn't cross your mind, you've always got to consider those things if you feel like it's something that's ... irreparable or whatever the case may be," Morris said. "But I don't feel that way. I feel like (Cousins) is going to come out of this thing and he's going to go on a run here and get us to do the things that we need to do."
The Buccaneers have won three consecutive games and are in sole possession of first place in the NFC South at 7-6.
Atlanta's remaining four-game schedule features the Raiders (2-11), New York Giants (2-11), Washington Commanders (8-5) and Carolina Panthers (3-10).
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The Paur Report
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle/thigh) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Herbert was unable to practice on Wednesday, and seeing him back on the field just one day later is a positive sign for his availability over the weekend. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on the injury report later on Thursday in case he was only able to log a limited session. Herbert sustained these injuries during last weekend's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In this game, Herbert tallied only 213 yards and a score. However, in his previous six contests, the Oregon product has averaged a solid 21.2 PPR points per game and tallied nine total scores during this span. If Herbert can suit up this weekend, he should be viewed as a solid QB1 facing a weak Tampa Bay secondary that has allowed the most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.
From RotoBaller
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According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice for the second-straight day. Pickens now has one more opportunity on Friday to practice in some capacity. Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Tomlin noted that his No.1 wideout would be unlikely to suit up this weekend, and his current trajectory reinforces that claim. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status on Friday in case he can practice in some capacity. Since Russell Wilson has taken starting duties, Pickens has averaged an impressive 16.0 PPR points per game and averaged 81.2 yards per game during this span. If Pickens misses his second-straight contest, fantasy managers should expect tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receivers Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III to see an uptick in targets.
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) made his return to practice on Thursday after he was listed as a non-participant for the first practice session of Week 15 on Wednesday. Boyd's return on Thursday puts him on track to at least have a shot at playing this Sunday when the team takes on the visiting Cincinnati Bengals and their suspect secondary. Even with the excellent upcoming matchup, the 30-year-old veteran wideout probably shouldn't be trusted as a starting fantasy option in the first round of the postseason in most league. In his first year in Tennessee, Boyd has struggled for fantasy relevance in a low-volume, inconsistent offense, catching 33 passes for only 317 yards. If Boyd isn't given the green light to suit up on Sunday, rookie Jha'Quan Jackson could be the team's starting slot receiver next to Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
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Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) put in another full day of practice on Thursday and looks primed to make his return in a Week 15 tilt on the road in Detroit against the Lions. Coleman has not played since suffering a wrist injury back in Week 9, but he's tracking towards a return this weekend, barring a setback on Friday. In addition to Coleman, Buffalo should get tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) back from an injury that has kept him out the last several weeks. It means that receivers Amari Cooper and Khalil Shakir will have more competition for targets in what should be a shootout at Ford Field. Tight end Dawson Knox will go back to the No. 2 role. The 21-year-old Coleman has had a decent role in his first nine NFL games, catching 22 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns, but his per-week PPR average has him outside the top-50 receivers. He'll be a WR4/flex with upside if he returns to face Detroit in what should be a high-scoring affair.
From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown (fibula) is missing another practice on Thursday due to a leg injury. The four-time Pro Bowler missed last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys and could be inactive for the game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. Luckily, the Titans have generated the sixth-fewest sacks (27) in the NFL this season, so his absence is unlikely to dramatically affect the Bengals' offensive output. If Brown is out again, backup Cody Ford will likely draw another start and be tasked with blocking Harold Landry and Arden Key.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (back) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a back injury. This is Minnesota's first official practice of the week heading into the Monday Night Football contest against the Chicago Bears, so there is time for Jones to get prepared to play. So far this season, Jones has rushed for 893 yards and four touchdowns while catching 37 passes for 302 yards and two more scores. He's been a steady producer for most of the season and slots in as a mid-tier RB2 for Week 15. If he surprisingly cannot play, Cam Akers would likely lead the backfield, but Ty Chandler should see some touches behind him. For now, there is nothing to suggest Jones will not be ready to go.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) practiced in full for a second straight day on Thursday. The rookie out of Holy Cross has missed each of the last three games due to a quad injury, but he could return in Week 15 to face the Dallas Cowboys. Coker caught nine of his 17 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown in his last three active games, but the return of Adam Thielen likely puts an end to his time on the fantasy football radar. At best, he'll likely operate behind Thielen and fellow rookie Xavier Legette in Bryce Young's target pecking order. He can be safely dropped in leagues of 12 teams or fewer.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (head) was listed on the first injury report of the week due to a head injury. However, the veteran was listed as a full participant. With D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) not practicing to begin prep for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15, Homer could enter the fantasy radar for Monday Night's divisional contest. However, the injury status of all three running backs should be monitored throughout the rest of the week. With Johnson inactive last week against the San Francisco 49ers, Homer caught three passes for 11 yards. That said, he's not worth a starting spot in fantasy lineups unless Swift and Johnson miss Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) was at practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Doubs was listed as a full participant on Wednesday, although head coach Matt LaFleur said he's still working through the league's concussion protocol. The 24-year-old pass-catcher suffered a concussion in the Week 12 win over the San Francisco 49ers and hasn't played since, but a full practice on Wednesday suggests he's well on his way to clearing the concussion protocol and playing on Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. His return this weekend would take away valuable targets from fellow wideouts Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks. The third-year wideout only has two touchdowns on the year and has gone over 50 receiving yards in four of his 10 games in 2024. If Doubs is active against Seattle, he'll be a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) practiced for the second straight day on Thursday. The Packers officially opened Musgrave's 21-day practice window on Wednesday to return from Injured Reserve. He was listed as limited on Wednesday and will likely get the same designation on Thursday. The 24-year-old will be eligible to come off IR this weekend to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, but the Packers will make that decision on Saturday. Even if Musgrave returns to the field in Week 15, he'll likely be on a pitch count after not playing since Week 4. Before his injury, Musgrave was the clear TE2 in Green Bay behind Tucker Kraft, too, catching only five of his seven targets for 22 yards and no touchdowns in four games played. Musgrave should remain on the waiver wire in standard-sized fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year, $82 million contract extension on Thursday, according to a source. The deal includes $41.9 million in guarantees. It's the second contract extension that Bolles has received since the Broncos took him in the first round back in 2017. He is the longest-tenured player on the Broncos' roster, and his 112 starts at left tackle are the most in team history. The Broncos didn't pick up the fifth-year option on Bolles' rookie contract after he was inconsistent in his first three years in the league. However, things changed quickly after Bolles became a second-team All-Pro in 2020 in his fourth year in the league. In December of 2020, Denver signed him to a four-year, $68 million extension. Keeping Bolles around is key for the development of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) were listed as non-participants for the team's first practice in Week 15 on Thursday. The Bears will face off against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday night this week, which means they won't release their final injury report until Saturday. Swift was listed as questionable for last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers but ended up playing and disappointing his fantasy managers with 15 touches for 40 scrimmage yards in a blowout defeat. Meanwhile, Johnson missed his second straight game. The 25-year-old Swift is now up in the air to play again this week, although he has two more days to return to practice. In Chicago's lackluster offense, Swift has struggled recently and has scored just once in his last six games. If both Swift and Johnson are out on Monday, Travis Homer would be Chicago's lead back.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is taking part in Thursday's practice session. Downs was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of the team's Week 14 bye, and he has a real chance at returning this weekend for a big game against the Denver Broncos on the road. The 23-year-old sat out of the Week 13 win over the New England Patriots due to a shoulder injury, but he appears to be on the right track to make his return in Week 15. Downs' potential return is bad news for Michael Pittman Jr. in Indy's low-volume passing attack. From Weeks 8-12, Downs saw at least nine targets three times, went over 100 yards receiving once and caught two touchdowns for the Colts to become a weekly flex option with upside in fantasy. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations in Week 15 if he returns, though, especially against a tough Denver defense.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) was on the field and was carrying his helmet on Thursday for the portion of practice open to the media, but he immediately headed to the rehab area. It indicates that Hall is likely to pick up another DNP for the second straight day. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich indicated on Wednesday that Hall is still struggling through a knee injury that kept him out of the Week 14 overtime loss to the division-rival Miami Dolphins last Sunday. The 23-year-old hasn't been ruled out for this Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but things aren't looking good for him right now, and fantasy managers should currently be planning to be without him. With Hall out last weekend, rookie Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis essentially split the backfield workload, with Davis finding the end zone. Both RBs would be in play as RB3/flex options against the Jags if Hall is ruled out again.
From RotoBaller
