Falcons' Tagovailoa Out vs. Steelers; Rush to Start — SkimNews
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- Tua Tagovailoa ruled out for Sunday's season opener vs. the Steelers with an oblique injury and is considered week-to-week by coach Kevin Stefanski; Tagovailoa grabbed at his side during Thursday's practice media viewing, sat on the grass, then jogged off
- Cooper Rush will start in Tagovailoa's place after taking all first-team offense reps Thursday and all the passing in drills during Friday's media viewing period
- Michael Penix Jr. will be listed as inactive Sunday despite being fully cleared for practice two weeks ago; Stefanski said Penix was "never an option" for the game as he continues working back from left ACL surgery in November
- Tagovailoa was named the Falcons' starter Monday after a QB competition with Penix, who told the team he did not feel ready for live game action
- Rush, 32, was signed by Atlanta on the eve of training camp when Tagovailoa arrived with a tight back — an injury Stefanski said is unrelated to the current oblique issue; in 16 career starts his teams are 9-7, and in 2025 with Baltimore he completed 65.4% for 303 yards with 0 TDs and 4 INTs across four games
Why it matters: The Falcons open the season against Pittsburgh turning to a 32-year-old career backup (Rush) who posted 0 TDs and 4 INTs across four games with Baltimore last season — while Penix, the other QB option, won't dress despite being medically cleared. Atlanta's QB room was unsettled when Tagovailoa won the job Monday; a week-to-week oblique injury means the starter question stays live well past Week 1.
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