Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-14 · by Charles Odum The Associated Press
Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Cooper Rush struggled in their opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing two interceptions and completing only 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. The team’s conservative play-calling placed heavy reliance on running back Bijan Robinson, who had a combined 173 yards from rushing and receiving. Fans are questioning why undrafted rookie Jack Strand wasn’t given a chance to start, while also wondering when Michael Penix Jr., currently recovering from injury, will be ready to take over the role. Coach Kevin Stefanski provided no update on the status of Tagovailoa or Penix for next Sunday’s game against Carolina.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
The Atlanta Falcons’ opening loss at Pittsburgh only added more uncertainty to the quarterback question that has persisted since the start of training camp.
asserted
that → add → camp
Cooper Rush’s performance in the Falcons’ 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday had some fans wondering why undrafted rookie Jack Strand wasn’t given an opportunity and more fans asking when Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa will be ready to play.
asserted
Jr. → have → opportunity
Rush threw two interceptions, including T.J. Watt’s pick-6 in the fourth quarter.
asserted
Rush → throw → quarter
He completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.
asserted
He → complete → yards
Rush was named the starter on Friday after Tagovailoa was ruled out with an oblique injury.
asserted
Tagovailoa → name → injury
Rush started despite having back spasms on Saturday.
asserted
Rush → start → Saturday
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Rush was close to full health, but the conservative game plan with an emphasis on short passes placed too much of a burden on running back Bijan Robinson.
asserted
plan → say → Robinson
Stefanski said Monday he had no update on Tagovailoa or on Penix, who did not play in the preseason as he continues his recovery from a torn ligament in his left knee that ended his 2025 season.
asserted
that → say → season
Penix was cleared for full team drills late in training camp.
asserted
Penix → clear → camp
Both Tagovailoa and Penix were inactive against the Steelers, and it is not known if either will return for next Sunday’s home opener against Carolina.
asserted
either → know → Carolina
“I’ll obviously hope to have more clarity on all of our positions via, you know, just injuries and whatnot, later today, the next few days,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → hope → injuries
Rush was sacked four times and had six passes deflected.
asserted
passes → sack → ?
It wasn’t a strong argument to be considered a long-term answer at quarterback, but Rush said he took pride in starting after the back spasms one day before the game.
asserted
he → consider → game
“I was able to get out there and play, and I was proud of that,” Rush said before adding, “Wish I played better.”
asserted
I → get → that
Stefanski said Rush “battled” but needed more help.
asserted
Rush → say → help
Atlanta’s nine penalties for 96 yards and two turnovers while forcing only one made it difficult to win, despite a strong effort by the Falcons’ defense.
asserted
it → force → defense
What’s working
Robinson was Atlanta’s leading rusher and receiving, compiling a combined 173 yards.
asserted
Robinson → work → yards
Robinson had 21 carries for 83 yards and eight receptions for 90 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown on a short pass from Rush.
asserted
Robinson → have → Rush
Brian Robinson, the only other running back on the active roster, had nine carries for 31 yards.
asserted
Robinson → have → yards
What needs help
asserted
needs → need → help
The conservative passing game negated the effectiveness of Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
asserted
game → negate → Pitts
Rush underthrew a pass intended for Pitts, who was not targeted again.
asserted
who → underthrew → Pitts
London had two receptions for 29 yards on four targets.
asserted
London → have → targets
Though the Falcons were only 3-6 in Penix’s nine starts in 2025, he completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
asserted
he → complete → touchdowns
The Falcons have been cautious not to rush his return, but since he already has been given full medical clearance it would not be a surprise if the third-year quarterback reclaims the starting role as early as this week.
asserted
quarterback → rush → week
The Falcons need a boost to their passing game as quickly as possible.
asserted
Falcons → need → game
Veteran Nick Folk was wide right on field-goal attempts from 54 and 45 yards before hitting from 51 and 43 yards.
asserted
Folk → hit → yards
Folk had been expected to provide stability after the team went through three kickers — Younghoe Koo, Parker Romo and Zane Gonzalez — in 2025.
asserted
team → expect → 2025
Folk made 28 of 29 attempts for the New York Jets last season.
asserted
Folk → make → Jets
“Nick’s a pro,” Stefanski said.
asserted
Stefanski → ’ → ?
“I have total faith and trust in Nick.”
asserted
I → have → Nick
Stefanski said defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand is expected to miss the season after suffering a quadriceps injury that will require surgery.
asserted
that → say → surgery
He did not start in the opener.
asserted
He → start → opener
Key number
16 — Za’Darius Smith recorded both of the team’s sacks despite playing only 16 snaps.
asserted
Smith → record → snaps
Smith, 34, signed with Atlanta on Aug. 18 and had been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury.
asserted
Smith → sign → injury
Next steps
The Falcons will open their NFC South schedule in their home opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
asserted
Falcons → open → Sunday
The Panthers swept the two games against the Falcons last season, including a 30-27 overtime win in Atlanta as Bryce Young threw for a franchise-record 448 yards and three touchdowns.
asserted
Young → sweep → yards
The Aporia
