Sources: Falcons eye Week 3 return for Penix, expected to keep Tua — SkimNews
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- Michael Penix Jr. could make his 2026 debut Thursday night vs. the Packers in Week 3, returning from a torn ACL that sidelined him the first two games; he split reps with Rush in practice last week to prepare for the short-week return.
- Tua Tagovailoa is officially doubtful for Sunday vs. Carolina with an oblique injury suffered while preparing for Week 1, but should practice this week and could be active Thursday against Green Bay.
- Tagovailoa is on a one-year, $1.2 million veteran's minimum deal, and sources say the Falcons won't move on from him even with four healthy quarterbacks on the roster.
- The Falcons could trade Tagovailoa before the NFL's Nov. 10 trade deadline if he plays well enough to draw suitors, per sources.
- Cooper Rush gets his second straight start Sunday vs. Carolina after going 12-of-22 for 143 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs with a 2.6 QBR — the worst mark in the league in Week 1 — in Atlanta's loss to Pittsburgh.
- Undrafted rookie Jack Strand is expected to back up Rush on Sunday, per Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski; if neither Penix nor Tua plays vs. Green Bay, their next chance wouldn't come until Monday, Oct. 5 at New Orleans.
Why it matters: Atlanta's QB depth is razor-thin — Rush posted the league's worst Week 1 QBR (2.6) and undrafted rookie Jack Strand is his only active backup, so Penix's Thursday return is essential to stabilize an offense that produced almost nothing without its starter. Tagovailoa's $1.2M contract also makes him a potential low-cost trade chip before the Nov. 10 deadline if he proves he can stay on the field.
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