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Kevin Stefanski, coach of the Atlanta Falcons, declined to specify who will start at quarterback for the team’s Week 2 home game against the Carolina Panthers due to injuries affecting both Cooper Rush and Tua Tagovailoa. While Rush participated fully in practice after a back issue, Tagovailoa remains day-to-day with an oblique injury from which he was ruled out of the season opener. Stefanski emphasized flexibility and readiness for any player to step up, including rookie Michael Penix Jr., who is expected to eventually take over as starter but is still recovering from an ACL tear.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Kevin Stefanski, coach of the Atlanta Falcons, did not provide clear guidance on his team’s quarterback situation ahead of their Week 2 home game against the Carolina Panthers. Despite being cleared medically, Tua Tagovailoa remains out due to an oblique injury sustained before a match-up with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who started for Tagovailoa during the season opener against the Steelers, practiced fully this week but was dealing with a back spasm on Wednesday. Stefanski emphasized that he is "not ruling anybody out," indicating uncertainty about whether Tagovailoa would start if fit, while also noting that Rush’s status remains unclear due to his recent back issue.
Written for “NFL Injury Updates” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski offered little clarity this week on the team’s murky quarterback situation ahead of a Week 2 home game against NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.
asserted
Stefanski → offer → Panthers
Stefanski told reporters Wednesday that he is "not ruling anybody out."
asserted
he → tell → anybody
His comments came as Cooper Rush, who replaced an injured Tua Tagovailoa in the Falcons’ season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, participated fully in practice after dealing with a back issue four days earlier.
asserted
who → come → issue
Rush finished the 20-13 loss to the Steelers with 143 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt.
asserted
one → finish → Watt
Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury in practice days before the Falcons were scheduled to kick off against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
asserted
Falcons → sustain → Steelers
He was ruled out for the opener, remained listed as day to day entering Wednesday’s practice and had yet to participate in practice this week.
asserted
He → rule → practice
Rush continued to receive treatment Wednesday for a back spasm that flared up Saturday, Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → continue → spasm
Stefanski declined to say whether Tagovailoa would start if healthy.
asserted
Tagovailoa → decline → ?
"Of course, ideal world, I think everybody, every team, you'd love to know who's playing at every position," Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → think → position
I get that part.
asserted
I → get → part
But we're going to be flexible and make sure that we're giving all of our guys the ability to go play and play well."
asserted
we → go → ability
Michael Penix Jr. is widely expected to take the starting quarterback job at some point this season.
asserted
Jr. → expect → point
Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, started nine of the Falcons’ first 10 games last season, missing the Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins with an injury before returning in Week 9.
asserted
Penix → start → Week
He tore his ACL in a Week 11 match-up against the Carolina Panthers and has since been medically cleared to return, though he recently told reporters he wants to feel closer to full strength before taking the field in 2026.
asserted
he → tear → 2026
"I had that conversation and I just told [coach Stefanski], 'I'm not where I want to be right now,'" Penix said earlier this month.
asserted
Penix → have → Stefanski
"I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games.
asserted
team → want → games
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, was listed as Rush’s backup in Week 1.
asserted
Strand → list → Week
He quickly won over many fans with a series of highlight-reel plays during the preseason, finishing the exhibition slate with 306 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
asserted
He → win → yards
His opportunities to build on that momentum, however, have been limited, as practice reps typically dwindle once training camp ends and the regular season begins.
asserted
season → build → momentum
Even so, Strand remains a possibility for Sunday’s game against Carolina.
asserted
Strand → remain → Carolina
"Jack is not being ruled out for this game," Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → rule → game
The Panthers lost their season opener 59-37 to the Chicago Bears in Charlotte.
asserted
Panthers → lose → Charlotte
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