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Sources: Falcons eye Week 3 return for Penix, expected to keep Tua
Confirmed
In Short: Jack Strand is expected to serve as Rush’s backup if Penix and Tagovailoa remain unavailable. The Falcons are managing Penix’s return carefully due to his knee injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since last season.
Cooper Rush is set to start for the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports and the team itself. Rush will continue as the starter after a lackluster performance in Week 1, where the Falcons lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13.
Rush suffered an oblique injury before Week 1, forcing the Falcons to turn to him for the opener. Despite the setback, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Rush will get the nod once more, with Penix and Tagovailoa listed as inactive.
Penix, who is 10 months removed from tearing his ACL, said Wednesday that he is 'close' to feeling ready to play. However, he would likely need at least one practice with the first-team offense before making his 2026 debut, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Tagovailoa, signed by the Falcons for the veteran minimum after the Dolphins released him, was dealing with a back problem that delayed his debut. The Falcons may have to turn to Rush for another start this week, though they are facing a defense that struggled in Week 1.
The Panthers' defense allowed 291 rushing yards on 7.5 per attempt in Week 1, suggesting that Falcons superstar Bijan Robinson could have a strong performance this week. The Falcons’ offense, led by Rush, will look to get back on track against a vulnerable defense.
If Rush does not deliver another lackluster showing, the Falcons will hope that Penix or Tagovailoa is cleared to play. However, with both still inactive, the team may have to rely on Rush for another start.
The Falcons’ Week 3 matchup against the Panthers presents an opportunity for Rush and the offense to improve their performance after a disappointing start to the season.
What this adds
The Falcons' decision to keep Rush as the starter is a continuation of their cautious approach to Penix's recovery from ACL surgery.
Background
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers remains uncertain about playing in the team's Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys, despite making progress in his rehabilitation.
What's confirmed
- The Atlanta Falcons are planning to start Cooper Rush at quarterback for the second straight week, according to Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network and The Athletic's Jonathan Jones.
- Should Rush deliver another lackluster showing, the Falcons will hope Penix or Tagovailoa is cleared because otherwise it might be worth considering Strand.
- Penix said Wednesday he's "close" to feeling ready to play.
What's still developing
- Jack Strand is expected to serve as Rush’s backup if Penix and Tagovailoa remain unavailable.
- Most notable is the Falcons ruling out starting QB Tua Tagovailoa along with Michael Penix Jr., leaving former Mike McCarthy QB Cooper Rush to unexpectedly start.
- Cooper Rush started a handful of games for the Dallas Cowboys under Mike McCarthy, so the Falcons won’t necessarily have the element of surprise working in their favor.
- Billy Bowman, Michael Penix, Cam Williams are also out.
- (knee) – OUT DE Za’Darius Smith (shoulder) – QUESTIONABLE OT Jawaan Taylor (knee) Williams is a backup tackle who was unlikely to have much impact on the game, but the Falcons’ top two quarterbacks being out could change everything this Sunday.
- With suspension and injury already hitting the Falcons’ EDGE room, Smith could be a notable loss to an already-thin group.
- Rush is positioned to start if Tagovailoa cannot play because Penix is expected to be inactive while completing his return from ACL surgery.
- During the open media portion of practice, Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa touched his back and sat down on the grass briefly during individual drills Thursday.
- Sources: RB D’Andre Swift and the Chicago Bears have reached agreeement on a 3-year, $33.75 million extension that includes $27.5M guaranteed.
- He was also seen throwing with the starters alongside Rush, showing that his recovery has progressed enough for him to work with the first-team offense. #Falcons QB Cooper Rush is taking the first-team reps now and is expected to start Week 2, sources say.
- He said Wednesday that he was getting closer but still had physical benchmarks to reach before returning to a game.
- However, his recovery from a knee injury has kept him on the sidelines since last season, forcing the team to manage his return carefully.