Less than a week after being announced as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least the first week of the season because of an oblique injury. The Falcons will head to Pittsburgh without Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr., as neither will be in uniform. First-year head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Tagovailoa is ruled out and is on a ‘week-to-week’ status.
Penix was already sidelined, having been listed as out last week. Stefanski stated that Tagovailoa’s oblique injury is not connected to his previous back issue from training camp, which kept him out of practice for a week, as reported by ESPN.
Cooper Rush Steps In
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will now assume the starting role for the Falcons in their opener. Rush, wearing number 13, was active in a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, displaying his readiness for this opportunity.
Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick in 2024, played in nine of the Falcons’ first ten games last season. He missed a game against the Miami Dolphins due to an injury. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in a Week 11 clash with the Carolina Panthers. While he has been cleared medically, Penix expressed his desire to feel fully fit before returning to play in 2026.
“I had that conversation and I just told [coach Stefanski], ‘I’m not where I want to be right now,'” Penix stated. “I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I’m really close.”
The Falcons acquired Rush following Tagovailoa’s earlier back concerns during training camp. Rush has participated in 42 regular-season NFL games, with seven seasons spent with the Dallas Cowboys and last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jack Strand as Backup
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, will back up Rush. Strand impressed fans with several notable plays in the preseason, concluding the games with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
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