Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush receives treatment for back injury, status uncertain for Week 2
Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said backup QB Cooper Rush is being treated for a back injury sustained in Week 1, leaving the team’s quarterback depth chart in flux ahead of the next game.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that backup quarterback Cooper Rush is undergoing treatment for a back injury suffered during the season opener. The injury could keep Rush out of the Week 2 matchup, making him a questionable option on the depth chart.
With starter Tua Tagovailoa dealing with an oblique strain and rookie Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from a knee injury, the Falcons may have to rely on third-string quarterback Jack Strand if Rush is unavailable. Tagovailoa was listed as week-to-week by the team, while Penix remains on a rehabilitation timeline after multiple ACL surgeries.
Rush’s performance in the first game was limited; he completed 65.4% of his passes for 303 yards, threw no touchdowns and four interceptions last season with the Ravens. In the recent contest, he attempted only five passes beyond 10 yards and was 2-for-5 on those attempts, contributing to a total of 238 offensive yards for Atlanta.
The Falcons are expected to release an updated injury report before the Panthers game, which will clarify the availability of Tagovailoa, Penix and Rush.