Cooper Rush getting treatment for back injury

Key Points:

• The Falcons face significant quarterback uncertainty heading into Week 2, with Cooper Rush questionable due to a back injury and Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from a 2025 ACL injury, leaving Jack Strand as a potential starter against the Panthers.
• Penix, recovering from his third ACL reconstruction, is taking a cautious approach to return, prioritizing confidence before playing, and the Falcons are likely to give him more time if needed.
• Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered an oblique strain in Week 1, is the presumed starter if healthy, but his status remains week-to-week, and if he cannot play, Cooper Rush is expected to start again despite a poor Week 1 performance.
• Rush struggled in Week 1, showing limited downfield passing and contributing to a low offensive output, which negatively impacts fantasy prospects for key receivers Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
• Head coach Kevin Stefanski is now relying on his third-string quarterback due to injuries to Tagovailoa and Penix, complicating the Falcons' offensive outlook early in the 2026 season.