Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa ruled out for opener, Cooper Rush to start
Tagovailoa sidelined with oblique injury
The Atlanta Falcons have announced that starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least Week 1 of the 2026 season due to an oblique injury. This decision comes less than a week after Tagovailoa was named the team’s starting quarterback. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Tagovailoa is officially out for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and is considered “week-to-week.”
During Thursday’s practice, Tagovailoa was observed touching his back before briefly sitting on the field during individual drills. Stefanski clarified that this oblique injury is not related to a previous back issue Tagovailoa experienced at the start of training camp in July, which had caused him to miss approximately a week of practices.
Rush steps in as starting quarterback
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will now step in as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game. Rush joined the Falcons in late July, around the time training camp began. He has appeared in 42 regular-season games over eight NFL seasons, including seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and one with the Baltimore Ravens last season.
Rush expressed the importance of the practice repetitions he received with the first-team offense, stating that these reps provide a significant advantage. Coach Stefanski echoed this sentiment, noting that in the first year of any new system, both coaches and players benefit from thoroughly understanding the plays and their intent. Rush completed 30 of 48 pass attempts for 254 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions during three preseason games with Atlanta.
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent, will serve as Rush’s backup for the game. Strand garnered attention during the preseason with several highlight plays, finishing the exhibition schedule with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Penix Jr. not yet at full strength
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will also be inactive for the Week 1 opener. Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, started nine of the Falcons’ first 10 games last season. He missed a Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins due to an injury before returning in Week 9.
Penix tore his ACL in a Week 11 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Although he has been medically cleared to return, he recently informed reporters and Coach Stefanski that he is not yet at 100% and wants to reach full strength before returning to the field in 2026. Stefanski stated that Penix will be ready when he is ready, emphasizing trust in the medical process and Penix himself. The Falcons will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Source: foxnews.com
