RADIO
Michael Penix Jr. a Low-End QB2 Against Stout 49ers Defense
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 225 yards and a season-high three touchdowns with no interceptions in last week's loss to the Bears. He was able to put up those numbers despite completing a season-low 57.6 percent of his passes (19-for-33). That makes back-to-back weeks with sub-60 percent completion rates, and Week 7 brings another tough matchup against the 49ers, who feature Raheem Morris at defensive coordinator, the same person who drafted Penix back in 2024 while serving as the head coach in Atlanta, so he's quite familiar with the left-handed quarterback. The former first-rounder was sacked five times last week, the most he's been sacked in the four games he's played thus far, while Morris' defense is averaging 2.5 sacks per game coming into Week 7 and limiting opposing quarterbacks to only 209.8 yards per game passing, which is just outside the top 10. With a 6:1 TD:INT, the 26-year-old has not thrown the ball to the other team much, but three-touchdown weeks like last week will likely be few and far between. View the University of Washington product as a low-end QB2 against San Francisco, ranking as the No. 22 overall QB at RotoBaller for Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bijan Robinson a High-End RB1 Again Despite Tough Matchup
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was held to fewer than 100 yards from scrimmage in Week 6 for the first time since Week 2, although his 6.8 yards per rush were still impressive (nine carries for 61 yards). Getting in a big hole early forced Atlanta to abandon the run, but surprisingly, the fourth-year pro was targeted just twice, catching both passes for negative eight yards. This week's matchup against an undefeated 49ers team could follow a similar script, though the Falcons are just slight underdogs (+2.5). San Francisco has limited opposing rushers to just 90.2 yards per game, ceded only two touchdowns all year to RBs, and has allowed just four rushes of 10 yards or more, which is the fewest in the NFL. On the flip side, though, they've yielded the second-most receiving yards to running backs (276), so this matchup could provide the 5-foot-11 back an opportunity to get reinserted into the passing game. The league's scrimmage yards leader (785) through the first six weeks should see an uptick in usage this week back to his normal levels, perhaps even more so with fellow running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) set to miss this week's contest. As usual, the 24-year-old projects as a high-end RB1 again in Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Khalil Herbert to Serve as Falcons' Backup RB on Sunday
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday that Khalil Herbert will be Bijan Robinson's backup running back on Sunday in the Week 7 contest against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. The Falcons' RB depth will be tested this weekend after the team ruled out Brian Robinson due to a hamstring injury. Herbert, a former sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021 from Virginia Tech, will be making his first appearance on the team's game-day roster on Sunday versus San Francisco. In his five NFL seasons, he has averaged 4.7 yards per carry for 1,957 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 63 games played (13 starts), adding 54 receptions for 316 yards and two receiving scores. The reality of this weekend is that the Falcons will likely just lean more heavily on star running back Bijan Robinson as they try to give the 49ers their first loss of the 2026 season. In seven games last year with the New York Jets, Herbert had 16 carries for 52 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground. Fantasy managers should not consider him a realistic starting option this weekend.
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Brian Robinson Ruled Out for Sunday
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) has been ruled out for the team's Week 7 matchup with the 49ers as he deals with a hamstring injury that first popped up on Wednesday's injury report. Through six weeks, Robinson has run for 211 yards on 53 carries while finding the end zone four times and has been the only other running back on the roster behind All-Pro Bijan Robinson, prompting the likely practice squad elevations of both Khalil Herbert and Jam Miller, with head coach Kevin Stefanski already sharing that Herbert will serve as the team's primary backup on Sunday. While fantasy managers have needed little reason to start Bijan with confidence, the RB3 on the season could be in line for his heaviest workload to date and is RotoBaller's RB2 for the week.
Source: Daniel Flick
Source: Daniel Flick
Brian Robinson Not Seen at Friday's Practice
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was not seen during the open-to-media portion of practice on Friday, according to Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It would be Robinson's second straight missed practice this week after he was limited with a hamstring injury on Wednesday. The mid-week downgrade for the 27-year-old is bad news, and he could officially be ruled out for the Week 7 contest on Sunday against the visiting San Francisco 49ers. If B-Rob cannot play, the Falcons could elevate both Khalil Herbert and Jam Miller from the practice squad to the active roster to give Bijan Robinson some backup against the 6-0 49ers. In his first year with Atlanta as the backup to Bijan, B-Rob has been efficient and productive, taking 53 carries for 211 yards and four touchdowns in six games played. Fantasy managers who have been using him as a deep-league flex should be pivoting with Robinson looking like he will not play this weekend against San Francisco. Bijan Robinson will have an even higher ceiling this weekend if his backfield mate is inactive.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Daniel Flick
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Daniel Flick
Brian Robinson Downgraded to Out in Thursday's Practice
Atlanta Falcons backup running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was unable to practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury that had him limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. We should know more about Robinson's Week 7 status on Friday, when Atlanta releases its final injury report, but as of now, B-Rob's status is firmly up in the air. If he cannot play this Sunday at home against the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers, Khalil Herbert and Jam Miller could both be brought up from the practice squad to back up starter Bijan Robinson. Despite being behind one of the best all-around backs in the NFL, B-Rob has been a flex option for fantasy managers thanks to 53 rushing attempts for 211 yards and four touchdowns in the first six games. He also has five catches on six targets for 30 yards as a receiver. If he does not gain clearance to play this weekend against San Francisco, Bijan Robinson will have an even higher fantasy ceiling as an elite RB1.
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Michael Penix Jr. a Waiver Priority in Two-QB Leagues After Three-TD Game
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his most fantasy-friendly day in Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears, as he completed 19 of his season-high 33 pass attempts for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Penix did not throw an interception for the third straight game, and he now has at least one touchdown pass in his four starts in 2026. Down 28-7 going into the fourth quarter in Atlanta, Penix made things interesting late in the game, and the Falcons only lost by one score (eight points). He effectively spread the ball around to all of his weapons, including Drake London, Jahan Dotson, rookie Zachariah Branch, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. Through four games in his third year in the league, the former eighth overall pick from the University of Washington has completed a career-high 64.5% of his passes for 944 yards, six touchdowns, and just one pick. Penix has a shy-away Week 7 matchup against the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers, but he has quickly put himself on the superflex radar while recovering from a partially torn ACL that he suffered last year. Penix is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jahan Dotson Establishing Himself as Clear WR2 in Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson is clearly establishing himself as the team's No. 2 pass-catcher behind Drake London. The 26-year-old caught three of a season-high five targets for a team-high 87 yards and his second touchdown of the season in Sunday's 31-23 loss at home to the Chicago Bears in Week 6. It was Dotson's second time finding the end zone in the last three weeks, and he has now gone over 50 receiving yards in each of the last three weeks after catching only four passes on 11 targets for 41 yards without a touchdown in the first three contests of the 2026 campaign. The Falcons do not have a very appealing Week 7 matchup against the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers, but Dotson is on the rise as he becomes a more reliable pass-catching option for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta. Dotson has 11 catches on 23 targets for 236 yards and two touchdowns through the first six weeks and is not a bad waiver-wire pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for those looking for better WR depth. He is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Brian Robinson Remains a Stash Option
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson saw his smallest workload of the season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Robinson rushed the ball twice for one yard, while hauling in two receptions for nine yards in the loss. There was a stretch of play where Robinson carried the ball 10 or more times for three straight weeks. His role in the backfield has taken a hit in recent weeks, but Robinson remains someone worth stashing in fantasy formats. He's a top handcuff because he's the primary backup to Bijan Robinson. Also, the Falcons have been using Robinson quite a bit despite having an elite starting running back. The 27-year-old is hopeful for better results against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Falcons Sign Andy Dalton, Release Cooper Rush
The Atlanta Falcons have signed free-agent quarterback Andy Dalton, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Dalton started the 2026 season with the Philadelphia Eagles and threw one pass that was intercepted in Week 3 while Jalen Hurts was in the medical tent. Over 16 seasons, Dalton has completed 63% of his passes for 221 yards per game, with 254 touchdowns and 154 interceptions in 180 games. With Dalton heading to Atlanta, the team released Cooper Rush, who started two games with the team and struggled mightily. Dalton will now join Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, and Jack Strand in a deep quarterback room. While this has no fantasy implications at the moment, keep an eye on the Falcons' backup quarterback job moving forward, as Dalton could supplant Tagovailoa as the direct replacement for Penix.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Michael Penix Jr. Looks Sharp in Loss
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. put together a strong performance under center during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. He completed 19-of-33 passing attempts for 225 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the loss. Penix was mostly reliable, but he did lose a fumble during this game. This was the first time this season that Penix threw multiple touchdowns in a game. He hasn't been a great fantasy option so far this season, but this performance should give fantasy managers some hope. We'll see what he can put together against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Big Fourth Quarter Saves Kyle Pitts Sr. in Week 6
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts finished a 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6 with five receptions (on seven targets) for 60 yards (12.0 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. Both of Pitts' touchdowns came in the fourth quarter with under 10 minutes left to play in the game. The Falcons found themselves down 31-7 just seconds into the fourth quarter, and Pitts benefited from the pass-heavy attack as the Falcons tried to work their way back. Pitts showed a strong connection with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the red zone, as he recorded a 10-yard touchdown and a five-yard touchdown, respectively. His five receptions led the Falcons on Sunday. After a slow start to the 2026 campaign, Pitts has scored three touchdowns combined in the past two games, and he has recorded exactly five receptions in back-to-back weeks. Pitts appears to be finding his footing and is rising up the ranks.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Bijan Robinson Sees Reduced Workload in Loss
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was not used in his normal workhorse role during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Robinson carried the ball nine times for 61 yards, while securing two receptions for -8 receiving yards. This is the first time this season that Robinson has seen fewer than 16 touches out of the backfield. He averaged 6.78 yards per carry, so Robinson was having success on the ground, but didn't get enough chances. The Falcons were forced into a pass-heavy scheme early in this game, so fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about Robinson. He should remain locked as an elite RB1 for next week's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brian Robinson a Viable Fantasy Option for Managers in a Pinch
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Robinson is in play for fantasy managers who need help ahead of his home game against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. The former Alabama Crimson Tide posted season lows in rushing yards (16) and opportunities (eight) in Week 5's loss to the Ravens. However, Robinson's involvement was intriguing the three games prior, when he racked up 163 yards on the ground and four touchdowns across 35 carries (4.65 yards per carry). That kind of output and workload can't be the expectation, especially while he shares a backfield with Bijan Robinson. Still, Atlanta currently sports the league's highest run rate (53.23%), so if the 27-year-old's snap share can stabilize, he'll be in a good position to be useful for fantasy. Chicago isn't the easiest matchup on paper, but Robinson can be utilized as a low-floor bye-week fill-in.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jahan Dotson a Low-Floor, Low-Ceiling Play in Week 6
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson has become more interesting for fantasy managers over the last two weeks, recording exactly 54 receiving yards in each game while catching one touchdown pass. The downside is that he's caught no more than two passes in any game this season and received no more than four targets. Still, the 26-year-old has become the team's deep threat, with an average depth of target (ADOT) of 16.4 yards, compared to Drake London, whose 9.1-yard ADOT is second-best on the team. Even so, Dotson's limited involvement and dependency on big plays make the Penn State product a risky fantasy play most weeks. The Bears defense will be without multiple key defenders this week, which could mean a couple more opportunities, but the fifth-year pro is still low in the receiving pecking order in Atlanta, making him a WR6 this week or a DFS tournament dart throw.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
