Tagovailoa out, Rush to start at QB for Falcons vs. Steelers
espn.com • • general
Key Points:
- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an oblique injury and is considered week-to-week by the team.
- Cooper Rush will start in Week 1, having taken all first-team reps during practice while Tagovailoa was sidelined.
- Michael Penix Jr., who was competing for the starting job but is still recovering from ACL surgery, will be inactive for the opener despite full participation in practice.
- Rush, signed just before training camp, has started 16 career games with a 9-7 record and had a challenging 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens.
- Rush's career completion rate is 61.1%, with 3,766 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
