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Cooper Rush Could Draw Another Start in Week 2
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush could end up making a second straight start Sunday against Carolina. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Tua Tagovailoa's oblique strain can linger, leaving his Week 2 status up in the air, while Michael Penix Jr. still isn't ready for live game action. That keeps Rush squarely in the picture after a rough opener in Pittsburgh. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the 20-13 loss and was sacked four times. Tagovailoa had been named the Week 1 starter before getting hurt in practice, but Atlanta may have to wait a little longer for either him or Penix. Rush doesn't offer much fantasy appeal if he gets another start, even against Carolina. He remains more of an emergency option in deeper two-quarterback and Superflex leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cooper Rush the QB Placeholder For Falcons Going into Week 2
The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports that the Atlanta Falcons updated their media advisory for the week on Tuesday, with the old one listed as "starting QB press conference" on Wednesday. The new one reads: "QB Cooper Rush press conference." The NFL Network's Steve Wyche checked in on this and was told that the Falcons listed Rush "based on no new information." Head coach Kevin Stefanski will announce who the Week starting QB is "whenever he decides to make his decision public." So for lack of a better term, Rush is the team's starting QB placeholder for now, with both Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) dealing with injuries. Penix is still recovering from a partially torn ACL late last year, and while he is progressing, he might not be ready for the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Tagovailoa was set to start in the Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but an oblique injury in practice last Thursday forced him out, and he might be trending towards missing a second straight game. If Rush makes a second straight start for Atlanta this weekend, fantasy managers will need to downgrade all of the team's offensive weapons again. The 32-year-old Rush threw for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the 20-13 loss to Pittsburgh.
Source: NFL Network - Steve Wyche
Source: NFL Network - Steve Wyche
Michael Penix Jr. Might Not be Ready for Week 2
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was ruled out for the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that it might be "a bit too early" for Penix to be ready to make his 2026 season debut in Week 2 against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. The Falcons clearly view Penix as their man under center this year, but only when he is fully recovered from the partial ACL tear in his knee that he suffered late in 2025. Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), who was brought in this offseason in free agency as an insurance option for Penix, was slated to start in Week 1 against the Steelers before injuring his oblique in practice last Thursday and eventually being ruled out. Veteran backup Cooper Rush made the start on Sunday and predictably struggled, throwing for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. If Tagovailoa cannot go in Week 2 against Carolina, Rush could be forced into a second straight start for Atlanta. It sounds like a more realistic date for Penix's 2026 season debut could come on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Cooper Rush Good to Go Against Steelers in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Cooper Rush (back) is officially active for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after dealing with minor back spasms on Saturday, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. The Falcons had already ruled out both Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for Week 1, leaving Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the only QBs on the roster for the Falcons to begin the 2026 regular season. It is good news that Rush is ready to go, but Rush leading Atlanta's offense in Week 1 is not what fantasy managers of Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr. had in mind when they drafted those players. Against a very capable Steelers defense, the expectation is that Atlanta's offense will struggle to move the football effectively on Sunday, so fantasy managers who have Robinson, London, and Pitts in their lineups in Week 1 should be tempering expectations for their overall production. As far as Rush, he is simply a low-upside streaming option in superflex leagues that fantasy managers should be avoiding, especially since he could suffer a setback with his back mid-game.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Michael Penix Jr. Expected to Return in Next Two Weeks?
The Atlanta Falcons have been targeting Week 2 or Week 3 for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) to return, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penix won't be ready in time for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the door remains open for him to play within the next two weeks. He's working his way back from an ACL tear that ended his 2025 season in Week 11. Through nine games last year, he racked up 1,982 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also showed off his mobility with 70 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Normally, Penix's absence would lead to a start for Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), but he has also been ruled out. As a result, the Falcons will start veteran third-string quarterback Cooper Rush (back spasms) against the Steelers and star pass rusher T.J. Watt.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Cooper Rush Remains on Track to Start Against Steelers
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (back) is still expected to be active for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Rush had been dealing with back spasms, but he reportedly "is feeling better" and will be able to play in the season opener. It's a rare positive headline about a Falcons quarterback, as Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) were both ruled out ahead of time. Rush is technically the Falcons' third-string quarterback, but he'll now be tasked with staying upright and leading the offensive charge against the Steelers and star pass rusher T.J. Watt. For what it's worth, Rush ranks as a clear QB3 in fantasy football this week.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Cooper Rush Battling Back Spasms, Still Expected to Play in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (back) experienced back spasms on Saturday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Falcons quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) both ruled out for Week 1, Rush is in line to start the team's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Schefter reports that Atlanta still expects Rush to be active, but it appears he may not be fully healthy. A career backup, Rush threw for 303 yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions across four games (two starts) with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. With a hobbled Rush under center, fantasy managers should downgrade expectations for Falcons wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. If Rush is unable to play, undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand would be the next man up for Atlanta.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Cooper Rush Gets the Start in Week 1, but Tough Matchup Awaits
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush will get the starting nod on Sunday against the Steelers with Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) both ruled out. Rush will have a full complement of offensive weapons at his disposal, including stars Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts Sr., but a road matchup against the Steelers could make for a rough afternoon. The Pittsburgh defense was exploitable against the pass in 2025, conceding 244.9 yards per contest, which was fourth-most in the NFL, and 30 passing touchdowns. However, the addition of Jamel Dean in the offseason should help, and a healthy T.J. Watt could make things very uncomfortable for Rush. With the Falcons owning an implied point total of 17.5, second-lowest of any Week 1 contest, the potential for the veteran QB to put up big numbers doesn't look good. With a ranking of QB31 this week at RotoBaller, the 32-year-old signal caller should be avoided in both season-long and DFS if at all possible.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Penix Jr. Had No "Real Chance" to Start in Week 1
When asked if there was any chance that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) could start on Sunday in the Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said, "No." Stefanski said that Penix will be ready when he is ready. It remains to be seen if Penix will be ready for the team's Week 2 contest next Sunday, Sept. 20, versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers, as the Falcons are now in a bit of a bind at the QB position following Tua Tagovailoa's oblique injury in practice on Thursday that will sideline him this weekend. With Penix already ruled out, the Falcons are forced to turn to veteran backup Cooper Rush in the season opener against Pittsburgh, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. It might be just one week of Rush, though, since Penix has been listed as a full participant in practices this week. With Tagovailoa now potentially being cut after another injury, Penix's path to a full-time starting role has cleared up, making him much more attractive for the 2026 season in two-QB superflex leagues after he partially tore his ACL last year.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out for Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after popping up on Thursday's injury report with an oblique injury, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Falcons after being released by the Dolphins. Following a rocky training camp and preseason that began with back spasms, he was recently named the Week 1 starter, as 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season. Penix, who is still listed as the fourth quarterback on the team's unofficial depth chart, has been a full practice participant to begin the week, so there is a chance he could now step into the Week 1 starting role. If not, the Falcons will begin the year with either Cooper Rush or undrafted rookie Jack Strand under center. A report from The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad (citing Pro Football Talk) suggests that there is a "strong possibility" that Tagovailoa is released if/when he is replaced as the starting QB. Now that more injury issues have popped up for the former first-rounder, he might not even end up taking a single snap in a regular-season game for Atlanta.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Tua Tagovailoa Day-to-Day With Oblique Strain
Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), who was listed as limited in Thursday's practice, suffered an oblique strain that is considered day-to-day, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Tagovailoa's status for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers is to be determined. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller went to the ground during individual drills on Thursday and was grabbing at his lower back. He did not return and was replaced by Cooper Rush with the first-team offense. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has already been ruled out as he continues to recover from a partially torn ACL in his knee from late last year. If Tua is ruled out on Friday, Rush will be the one starting under center for the Falcons on Sunday, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. Fantasy managers in deep two-QB superflex leagues who were planning on starting Tagovailoa this weekend against Pittsburgh need to go in another direction. We would be surprised if Tagovailoa is cleared to start in just a few days.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Cooper Rush a Sneaky Superflex Stash Candidate Amid QB Injuries
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush has mostly operated as a backup throughout his career to this point, appearing in 42 games and logging 16 starts across eight NFL seasons. However, with Falcons QB1 Tua Tagovailoa's (oblique) status for Week 1 up in the air, Rush could be in line to make the start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The 32-year-old's last extended stretch as a starter was in 2024, when he completed 60.7% of his pass attempts for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 12 games (eight starts) with the Dallas Cowboys. Rush has averaged just 6.3 yards per pass attempt for his career, so he's unlikely to provide high-end fantasy production if he's forced into action for the Falcons. Still, he could be worth rostering in two-QB formats just in case Tagovailoa misses time to begin the year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tua Tagovailoa Dealing With Oblique Injury
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was added to the injury report on Thursday with an oblique injury, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Tagovailoa was listed as limited on Thursday's report. During the open period of Thursday's practice, Tagovailoa was seen touching his back before sitting down on the field during individual drills. The Falcons already announced that Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will not be active for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, so if Tagovailoa cannot play, it will likely be Cooper Rush making the start under center for the Falcons in the season opener. Tagovailoa joined the Falcons this offseason hoping for a new start after the Dolphins cut him after a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he was benched late in the year. Tua also dealt with back spasms early in training camp, so it seems more unlikely that he will be able to recover in just a couple of days and start on Sunday. This new injury could threaten Tagovailoa's chances of ever starting a game for the Falcons in 2026.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Cooper Rush Could Start at QB For Falcons in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush said he took all the reps with the first-team offense in Thursday's practice after Tua Tagovailoa (back) suffered a lower-back injury, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Tagovailoa, who missed the start of training camp this summer with lower-back spasms, is now up in the air to play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has already been ruled out for the season opener while he continues to recover from a partially torn ACL he suffered late last season. If Tagovailoa is ruled out for this weekend, Rush would most likely make the start, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. The 32-year-old Rush would be a desperation QB2 in deep superflex leagues if he makes the start this weekend, which would be only his 17th NFL start since entering the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan. The Steelers' defense/special teams unit should be considered a top-five option, regardless of who starts under center for the Falcons. Rush played in four games (two starts) with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025 and threw for 303 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Tua Tagovailoa Up in the Air for Week 1 With Back Injury
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) went down in Thursday's practice with what looked like lower-back pain, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Falcons are prepping to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 with a QB3 right now. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is not cleared yet after suffering a partial tear of his ACL, so if Tua cannot go on Sunday, it could be Cooper Rush who gets the nod under center. ESPN's Marc Raimondi reports that Rush said he took all of the reps with the first-team offense on Thursday after Tagovailoa tweaked his back. If not for Penix not being quite ready to return, Tagovailoa most likely would have lost the QB competition during training camp in his first year outside of Miami. Already with a concerning history of head injuries, durability is not Tua's strong suit, and it now looks like he will not be able to make his Falcons debut in Week 1. The Falcons' plan is to let Penix take over the starting gig in Atlanta when he is ready, so Tagovailoa's fantasy value in deep two-QB leagues will be fleeting. If Tagovailoa is ruled out this weekend, Jack Strand would be in line to serve as Rush's backup.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
