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Cooper Rush will start at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 2 game against Carolina, marking his second consecutive start as Michael Penix Jr. remains sidelined from ACL surgery. Former undrafted player Jack Strand is listed as Rush’s backup with Tua Tagovailoa also ruled out due to an oblique injury. In his first game, Rush had a poor performance, going 12 for 22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the Falcons' loss to the Steelers. Penix stated he is close to returning but wants to meet certain physical goals before playing.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Cooper Rush started for the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 2 home game against the Carolina Panthers, despite ongoing injuries to backups Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. On September 20, the Falcons faced a significant challenge as Rush struggled, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble during the first half. The Falcons ultimately lost to the Panthers 34-3, with rookie undrafted player Jack Strand entering late but also making critical mistakes. The game showcased the Falcons' dire quarterback situation and poor overall performance, with the defense struggling similarly against Carolina's effective attack.
Written for “Falcons Quarterback Crisis” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
The Falcons’ quarterback saga rolls on.
asserted
saga → roll → ?
Cooper Rush will make his second straight start for Atlanta on Sunday in their home opener against Carolina, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.
uncertain
Rush → make → Stefanski
Former undrafted free agent Jack Strand will be Rush’s backup with Michael Penix Jr. ruled out and Tua Tagovailoa deemed doubtful.
asserted
Tagovailoa → rule → ?
Penix is not quite ready to return from his left ACL surgery in November that ended his 2025 campaign.
asserted
that → return → campaign
Rush took the bulk of the throws with the starters in practice Friday, while Penix threw with the practice squad.
asserted
Penix → take → squad
Tagovailoa, who the Falcons signed in the offseason after his release from the Dolphins for veteran insurance while Penix recovered, is also dealing with an oblique injury, suffered days before Week 1.
asserted
Penix → sign → Week
Stefanski said Tagovailoa has not practiced this week, describing him as day-to-day as of Wednesday.
asserted
Tagovailoa → say → Wednesday
The news comes after Stefanski would not rule anybody out — including Penix, Rush, Tagovailoa, and Strand — for the start earlier this week.
asserted
Stefanski → come → start
Rush suffered a flareup of back spasms last Saturday, but has been receiving treatment and fully participating in practice.
asserted
Rush → suffer → practice
In his Week 1 start, Rush went 12 for 22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Steelers and posted a league-worst 2.6 quarterback rating in the 20-13 loss.
asserted
Rush → go → loss
The Falcons trailed by just three points in the fourth quarter before Rush’s pick-six by TJ Watt.
asserted
Falcons → trail → Watt
Penix said Wednesday he’s feeling “close” to being ready to play.
asserted
he → say → ?
“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.
asserted
Penix → know → field
“But I do feel really good, and we’re taking strides each and every day.”
asserted
we → feel → strides
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