Cooper Rush news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Falcons backup Cooper Rush took all first-team reps Thursday after Tua Tagovailoa hurt his oblique.
Rush could start Week 1 Sunday against Pittsburgh if Tagovailoa can't play.
Background
Tua Tagovailoa was named the Falcons' starter on Monday, with Cooper Rush as backup and Michael Penix Jr. inactive for the opener. Tagovailoa was limited at Thursday's practice with an oblique issue and did not throw again during the media viewing period. Rush, signed in free agency after Tagovailoa began camp on the injury report with a back ailment, said he took every first-team rep. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to speak to reporters Friday.
How it unfolded
- recentlyTua Tagovailoa began Falcons camp on the injury report with a back ailment, prompting Atlanta to add Cooper Rush via free agency.
- Sep 7, 2026Tagovailoa was named the Falcons' starter; Rush was deemed the backup and Michael Penix Jr. inactive for Week 1.
- Sep 10, 2026Tagovailoa was limited at practice with an oblique injury and did not throw again during the media viewing period.
- Sep 10, 2026Rush told reporters he took all of the first-team reps; he said he was not told whether he would start Sunday.
- Sep 11, 2026Head coach Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to speak to reporters Friday.
Who’s saying what
- Public
- The Falcoholic's Dave Choate wrote that Rush is about as good a third quarterback as you'll find, but starting your QB3 in Week 1 means something has gone terribly awry.
- Analysts
- Falcons Wire reported reports swirling about Tagovailoa's potential release and listed Atlanta as a potential trade destination for Mac Jones.
- Party
- Rush said he was not told whether he would start Sunday but would be ready, adding that the mindset of the prep never changes.
Still unverified
Reports of Tagovailoa's potential release and Atlanta as a potential Mac Jones trade destination are described as swirling reports, not confirmed moves. Whether Tagovailoa will play Sunday is undecided; Rush said he was not told.