Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t provide much insight this week into the team’s uncertain quarterback situation as they prepare for a Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, an NFC South rival.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Stefanski mentioned he was “not ruling anybody out,” which comes in light of Cooper Rush’s full participation in practice after previously dealing with a back issue. Rush stepped in for the injured Tua Tagovailoa during the Falcons’ opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he threw for 143 yards, recorded one touchdown, but also two interceptions, including one returned for a score by Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt.
Tagovailoa, who sustained an oblique injury in practice ahead of the season opener, was deemed unavailable for the game against Pittsburgh and remained day-to-day entering this week’s practice. He had yet to be involved in any training sessions this week.
Rush continued receiving treatment for a back spasm that flared up just days ago, according to Stefanski.
Stefanski chose not to confirm whether Tagovailoa would reclaim his starting role if he becomes healthy enough to play. “In an ideal world, I think every team would prefer to know who’s going to start in every position,” he remarked. “But we’ll remain flexible, ensuring all our players have the chance to compete and perform well.”
It’s worth noting that Michael Penix Jr., a first-round draft pick in 2024, is expected to take on the starting quarterback role at some point during this season. He began nine of the Falcons’ first ten games last season but missed Week 8 due to injury. Penix made a return in Week 9 but tore his ACL in a game against the Panthers and has since been cleared to return to the field, expressing a desire to be fully fit before participating again this season.
Penix mentioned in a recent chat with Coach Stefanski that he isn’t quite where he wants to be just yet, stating, “I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I’m really close.”
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, served as Rush’s backup in the first week. He managed to impress fans during the preseason with several standout plays, finishing with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, with the regular season in full swing, his opportunities to build on that success have been limited, as practice reps tend to decline once the training camp wraps up. Still, Stefanski noted, “Jack is not being ruled out for this game.”
On the flip side, the Panthers come into this game after suffering a heavy loss to the Chicago Bears, with a whopping score of 59-37 in their opening match.
