Less than a week after being named the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least the first week of the NFL season due to an oblique injury. As the Falcons prepare to play in Pittsburgh, they will do so without both Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. in uniform.
Kevin Stefanski, the team’s first-year head coach, confirmed to reporters that Tagovailoa is officially out and is considered “week-to-week.” Penix had already been listed as out since last week. According to ESPN, Stefanski mentioned that Tagovailoa’s current injury is not connected to a previous back issue from training camp that cost him about a week of practice.
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will take on the starting role as QB1 for the upcoming game. Rush played for the Falcons during a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, performing admirably.
Penix, a first-round pick in 2024, started nine of the Falcons’ first ten games last season. After missing a Week 8 game against the Miami Dolphins due to injury, he returned in Week 9. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. Although medically cleared to return, Penix recently stated that he wants to regain full strength before playing again.
“I had that conversation and I just told [coach Stefanski], ‘I’m not where I want to be right now,'” Penix said earlier this month. “I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I’m really close.”
The Falcons signed Cooper Rush following Tagovailoa’s earlier back injury during training camp. Over the course of eight NFL seasons, Rush has appeared in 42 regular-season games, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys. Last season, he was with the Baltimore Ravens.
With Rush now leading, Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, will serve as his backup. Strand gained popularity among fans with several impressive plays during the preseason. He concluded the exhibition games with 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Chantz Martin reports for Fox News Digital on sports.
Stephen A. Smith Discusses Houston Texans’ Critical Matchup Against Dallas Cowboys 
CC Sabathia Anticipates Yankees’ Game 1 Pitcher for ALDS After Beating Red Sox 
Atlanta Dream Progress to WNBA Semifinals 
Los Angeles Lakers Focus on Defense in Luka Doncic Era 
Los Angeles Chargers Face Criticism Amid Team’s Poor Start 
White Sox’s Pope Hat Promotion Shines Amid Playoff Push