Falcons name Cooper Rush starter as Tua Tagovailoa sits out with oblique injury
Atlanta will start backup quarterback Cooper Rush in the season opener against Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out with an oblique strain.
Atlanta quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was declared unavailable for the Falcons' Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an oblique injury, the team announced on Friday. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush will take the start, head coach Kevin Stefanski said.
During Thursday's practice, Tagovailoa appeared to grab his side after a pass and briefly sat on the grass before jogging off.
"Tagovailoa is considered week-to-week," Stefanski added.
Rush handled all first-team offensive repetitions on Thursday and led the passing drills in Friday's media viewing session. The 32-year-old was signed by Atlanta just before training camp began. He has started 16 NFL games, posting a 9-7 record as a starter. Over his career, Rush has completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Tagovailoa had been named the starter on Monday after a competition with Michael Penix Jr., who remains inactive for Sunday as he continues recovery from left ACL surgery. Penix was cleared for practice two weeks ago but has not been listed for the game.