ATLANTA — Cooper Rush will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 season opener for both teams, after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out Friday with an oblique injury.
Falcons first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski said undrafted rookie Jack Strand will be the backup.
The late change in plans came after Stefanski announced Monday that Tagovailoa would open the season as the starter and that Michael Penix Jr. — who started 12 games the past two seasons after being the No. 8 pick of the 2025 NFL draft — would be inactive. Penix did not play in any of Atlanta’s three exhibition games during the preseason this summer as he continues his recovery from a torn ligament in his left knee that ended his 2025 season.
Stefanski said Friday that Penix was never an option for Sunday’s game, even after Tagovailoa’s injury.
“No,” Stefanski said. “Mike will be ready when he’s ready.”