Cooper Rush Injury Update Ahead of Falcons vs. Steelers After Tua Ruled Out With Oblique Issue
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush experienced back spasms on Saturday but is expected to start Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out due to an oblique injury, while Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last November and is not fully ready to play.
- Jack Strand, a 22-year-old undrafted quarterback from Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead, is set to back up Rush and is the only other quarterback available if Rush cannot play.
- Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the Falcons have an emergency third quarterback on the roster but did not disclose who it is.
- Tagovailoa’s oblique injury is considered day-to-day and unrelated to his previous back issues, while Penix admitted he is not yet at his desired playing condition for Week 1.
