Falcons’ Quarterback Situation for Week 1

Just a few days after being named the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will not play in Week 1 due to an oblique injury. The Falcons are gearing up for their game against Pittsburgh without Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. available.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed to reporters that Tagovailoa has been ruled out and is now labeled as “week-to-week.” Penix was already marked as unavailable last week.

Stefanski noted that Tagovailoa’s injury is not related to the tight back issue he had when he arrived at training camp, which had sidelined him for about a week of practices, as per reports.

Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush is set to take over as QB1 for Sunday’s game.

Penix, who was a first-round pick in 2024, started nine out of the first ten games last season but missed a game due to injury. He later tore his ACL during a match against the Carolina Panthers but has received medical clearance to return. Recently, he expressed a desire to feel at full strength before stepping back onto the field.

“I just told [coach Stefanski], ‘I’m not where I want to be right now,'” Penix mentioned earlier this month. “I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help the team win. I’m getting close.”

The Falcons signed Rush following Tagovailoa’s back issues that arose earlier in training camp.

Rush, who has played in 42 regular-season games across eight seasons in the NFL, has spent most of that time with the Dallas Cowboys. He played last season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, will be backing up Rush. He has made a good impression on fans this preseason, finishing with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during the exhibition games.