Cooper Rush will make his second straight start at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons as they host the Carolina Panthers in their home opener, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced. With Michael Penix Jr. still sidelined following left ACL surgery and veteran insurance signing Tua Tagovailoa listed as doubtful due to an oblique injury, the Falcons lean back on their veteran backup to stabilize the offense.
Penix Remains Sidelined as Recovery Continues
The decision keeps the wait alive for Penix, who suffered his season-ending knee injury last November during the 2025 campaign. According to team reports from practice sessions, Rush took the bulk of the snaps with the starting offense on Friday, while Penix threw exclusively with the practice squad.
Penix told reporters he feels close to returning. “I know I’ve been saying that, but there’s just a couple of technical things that I want to hit, some goals that I have that I want to achieve before I do stuff out on that field,” Penix said on Wednesday. “But I do feel really good, and we’re taking strides each and every day.”
Looking to Bounce Back From Week 1 Struggles
Rush enters Week 2 looking to bounce back from a challenging season opener. In Atlanta’s 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rush completed 12 of 22 pass attempts for 143 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. He finished with a league-worst 2.6 quarterback rating in the outing. The Falcons had stayed within striking distance, trailing by just three points in the fourth quarter before a costly pick-six by T.J. Watt sealed the result.
Back Spasms Add to Preparation Hurdles
Preparation for Sunday’s matchup also required navigating a minor health scare for Rush, who experienced a flare-up of back spasms last Saturday. Team medical staff administered treatment throughout the week, allowing Rush to participate fully in practice.
Injuries Shaking Up the Atlanta Depth Chart
Behind Rush, the depth chart shifts due to injuries across the quarterback room. Former undrafted free agent Jack Strand will serve as the backup against Carolina. Tagovailoa, brought in during the offseason following his release from the Dolphins to provide veteran depth while Penix recovered, suffered an oblique injury just days before Week 1. Stefanski confirmed that Tagovailoa has missed practice time and remained day-to-day heading toward the weekend.
The Falcons kick off against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Team officials will provide the next official injury report and active roster updates ahead of Sunday’s scheduled kickoff.
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