Falcons Start Cooper Rush at QB in Week 1 Amid Injury Crisis

The Atlanta Falcons will start Cooper Rush at quarterback in their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 14, 2026, after injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. left the team with severely depleted depth at the position. Tagovailoa, who was named the starter earlier in the week, was ruled out on Friday with an oblique injury. Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, remains inactive as he recovers from a torn ACL sustained last season. Rush, signed on July 29 as emergency depth, steps in despite dealing with back spasms that emerged after he was elevated to the starting role. Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Rush will start and that undrafted rookie Jack Strand will serve as the backup. "Cooper's been a backup in his career. He's been the starter. He knows how to prepare," Stefanski said, emphasizing his confidence in Rush's ability to manage the offense. Rush, 32, has started 16 games in his NFL career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, and went 4-4 in eight starts during the 2024 season.