Cooper Rush Will Start For The Falcons In Week 1
The Atlanta Falcons are starting their 2026 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday with their third-string quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out Friday with an oblique injury suffered in practice Thursday, and with Michael Penix Jr. still working back from left ACL surgery and listed as inactive, Cooper Rush gets the Week 1 start.
Tagovailoa is considered week-to-week. He was named the Falcons' starter Monday after Penix communicated he didn't feel ready for live game action. His status lasted four days before the oblique ended it. "Disappointed for him, obviously," coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He's a very competitive person."
Rush, 32, is a capable game manager, he went 8-1 as a starter with the Cowboys over multiple seasons and most recently backed up Lamar Jackson with the Ravens in 2025.
He took all first-team reps Thursday after Tagovailoa's injury and all the passing drills Friday. Undrafted free agent Jack Strand is the backup.
The Falcons enter Week 1 having had four quarterbacks active at various points this summer, Tagovailoa, Penix, Rush and rookie Cooper Faller, and start the season with the least experienced of the options who can actually play.
