With third-string quarterback Cooper Rush at the helm, the Falcons’ offense sputtered during a 20-13 loss to the Steelers in Week 1. While Rush may start against the Panthers on Sunday, head coach Kevin Stefanski is not closing the door on Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. taking the reins.
“We are working through it,” Stefanski said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic). “Tua is not going to practice today, but he is getting better. Mike and Cooper will practice.”
Stefanski named Tagovailoa the Falcons’ starter on Sept. 7, but he suffered an oblique strain three days later. That delayed Tagovailoa’s debut with the Falcons, who signed the former Pro Bowler for the veteran minimum after the Dolphins released him. Miami took on a record $99.2MM in dead money to get rid of Tagovailoa, its starter for six years. Meanwhile, Penix – 10 months removed from tearing his ACL last November – was left inactive because he still did not feel ready to play.
With the 32-year-old Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand as his only available options, Stefanski went with the veteran in Pittsburgh. Rush overcame back spasms to make the start, but it did not go well. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions (including a pick-six to T.J. Watt). Rush also finished the day with an ugly 51.9 passer rating and a microscopic 2.6 QBR. It was the latest in a growing line of subpar outings for Rush, who has fallen off dramatically since a decent run as a backup in Dallas from 2017-24.
The Ravens liked Rush enough to guarantee him $4.2MM on a two-year deal in 2025, but it quickly backfired. While filling in for an injured Lamar Jackson, Rush flopped in blowout losses to the Texans and Rams. Baltimore demoted Rush to third-string duties in October and then released him in March.
Rush went unsigned until the banged-up Falcons brought him in on the first day of training camp in late July. The oft-injured Tagovailoa was dealing with a back problem then, and Penix had not been cleared for 11-on-11 drills yet.
Stefanski revealed that Rush is still receiving treatment for his back issues, but he will be a full participant in practice on Wednesday (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Bow Tie Sports Guy). The Falcons may have to turn to Rush for another start this week, though if it’s any consolation, they are facing a defense that failed miserably in Week 1.
The NFC South rival Panthers surrendered a jaw-dropping 59 points and 552 total yards, including 269 through the air, in a 22-point loss to the Bears. They also allowed 291 rushing yards on 7.5 per attempt, which suggests Falcons superstar Bijan Robinson could feast this week. Considering Atlanta’s bleak quarterback situation, the team may need a a huge game from Robinson to avoid an 0-2 start.
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