Falcons name Cooper Rush starter for season opener after Tua Tagovailoa ruled out
Atlanta will start Cooper Rush at quarterback on Sunday against the Steelers after Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with an oblique injury and backup Michael Penix Jr. continues rehab from a torn ACL.
The Atlanta Falcons announced that Cooper Rush will start at quarterback Sunday at 1 p.m. ET against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rush, who joined the team less than two months ago, experienced back spasms on Saturday but is cleared to play.
Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out on Friday after leaving practice with an oblique strain, and the team confirmed he is day-to-day. Michael Penix Jr. remains in rehabilitation following a torn ACL suffered last November and is not expected to participate in the opener.
Jack Strand, an undrafted rookie signed after the 2026 draft, will serve as the primary backup. The coaching staff also indicated that an emergency third quarterback will be kept on the roster, though the player has not been identified.
"We have confidence in Cooper to lead us this week," head coach Kevin Stefanski said after naming Rush the starter.
Rush appeared in four games, including two starts, for the Baltimore Ravens last season before signing with Atlanta the day before training camp began.