Less than a week after being selected as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa is sidelined due to an oblique injury. Consequently, he will miss at least the first week of the games. The Falcons are headed to Pittsburgh without Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. in uniform.
Kevin Stefanski, the first-year head coach, confirmed Tagovailoa’s absence, stating he is “week-to-week.” Penix was already declared out the previous week. Stefanski clarified that Tagovailoa’s current injury is unrelated to the back tightness he experienced upon arriving at training camp, which affected roughly a week’s worth of practices, as reported by ESPN.
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Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush is now set to lead the team on Sunday. In a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 22, 2026, Rush demonstrated his skills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, as captured by Chris Carter/Getty Images.
Michael Penix Jr., a 2024 first-round pick, started nine of the Falcons’ initial ten games last season. He missed Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins due to injury but returned for Week 9. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. Although medically cleared to play, Penix recently expressed his desire to be closer to full strength before participating in 2026 games.
The Falcons have named their sixth different quarterback for Week 1 in as many years. Penix stated, “I had that conversation and I just told [coach Stefanski], ‘I’m not where I want to be right now. I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I’m really close.'”
Cooper Rush joined the Falcons following Tagovailoa’s initial back issue earlier in training camp. Images from IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect show Tagovailoa calling the snap against the Miami Dolphins during a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Aug. 28, 2026.
Rush boasts experience from 42 regular-season games over eight NFL seasons, predominantly with the Dallas Cowboys. He spent the previous season with the Baltimore Ravens. Rich Storry/Imagn Images captured Tagovailoa speaking with head coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, will serve as Rush’s backup. Strand quickly gained popularity by delivering standout plays during the preseason. He completed the exhibition games with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.