Cooper Rush starts for Falcons against Steelers in NFL Week 1
11 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 2:22 PM
Last updated Sep 13, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons will start Cooper Rush at quarterback for their 2026 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski ruled Tua Tagovailoa out for the road matchup after the starting quarterback sustained an oblique injury during practice on Thursday. Michael Penix Jr. is inactive, leaving undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the remaining quarterback option on the roster. Rush appeared in all three preseason games for the Falcons, where he recorded 254 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The veteran joined the Falcons following a stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium.
- •Cooper Rush will start for the Falcons on Sunday.
- •Tua Tagovailoa is out with an oblique injury.
- •The Falcons play the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
- •Jack Strand is active as the backup quarterback.
- •Rush completed 30 of 48 pass attempts during the preseason.
- 2:22 PMYahoo Sports — Cooper Rush to reportedly start for Falcons in Week 1 after Tua Tagovailoa sustained injury in practice
- 11:37 PMYahoo Sports — Atlanta Falcons to start QB Cooper Rush in place of injured Tua Tagovailoa
- 10:15 PMFox News — Tua Tagovailoa ruled out of Falcons' opener with oblique injury, Cooper Rush steps in against Steelers - Fox News
- 7:36 PMYahoo Sports — Steelers Set to Face New Falcons Quarterback After Tua Tagovailoa Injury News
- 7:00 PMESPN — Falcons' Tagovailoa out, Rush to start vs. Steelers
- 6:51 PMYahoo Sports — Lansing Catholic grad Cooper Rush gets season-opening start for Falcons
- 6:44 PMYahoo Sports — How Cooper Rush starting for Falcons affects Atlanta fantasy football players
- 5:58 PMYahoo Sports — Falcons turn to Rush as starting QB at Steelers with Tagovailoa ruled out with oblique injury
"Cooper Rush will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback on Sunday at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out on Friday with an oblique injury. Falcons first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday undrafted rookie Jack Strand will be the backup. The late-week change in plans for the season opener came after Stefanski announced Monday that Tagovailoa will open the season as the starter and Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive.
"The Falcons will start backup Cooper Rush at quarterback in Sunday's opener against the Steelers after ruling starter Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury.
"Cooper Rush will start for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled week-to-week with an oblique issue.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 2:22 PMCooper Rush to reportedly start for Falcons in Week 1 after Tua Tagovailoa sustained injury in practice
Cooper Rush will get a surprising start in Week 1 after Tua Tagovailoa got hurt.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 11:37 PMAtlanta Falcons to start QB Cooper Rush in place of injured Tua Tagovailoa
The Atlanta Falcons will start Cooper Rush in place of injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in their season opener, they announced Friday.
- Fox NewsSep 11, 2026, 10:15 PMTua Tagovailoa ruled out of Falcons' opener with oblique injury, Cooper Rush steps in against Steelers - Fox News
Cooper Rush will start for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled week-to-week with an oblique issue.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 7:36 PMSteelers Set to Face New Falcons Quarterback After Tua Tagovailoa Injury News
Tagovailoa suffered an injury during Thursday's practice, pushing Cooper Rush to the top of the depth chart.
- ESPNSep 11, 2026, 7:00 PMFalcons' Tagovailoa out, Rush to start vs. Steelers
The Falcons will start backup Cooper Rush at quarterback in Sunday's opener against the Steelers after ruling starter Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 6:51 PMLansing Catholic grad Cooper Rush gets season-opening start for Falcons
Cooper Rush will start for the Atlanta Falcons against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Tua Tagovailoa injured.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 6:44 PMHow Cooper Rush starting for Falcons affects Atlanta fantasy football players
Cooper Rush will be starting at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons with Tua Tagovailoa injured. Here's what it means in fantasy football.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 5:58 PMFalcons turn to Rush as starting QB at Steelers with Tagovailoa ruled out with oblique injury
Cooper Rush will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback on Sunday at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out on Friday with an oblique injury. Falcons first-year coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday undrafted rookie Jack Strand will be the backup. The late-week change in plans for the season opener came after Stefanski announced Monday that Tagovailoa will open the season as the starter and Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 5:32 PMFalcons to start former Cowboys QB vs. Steelers in NFL Week 1
Former Cowboys QB Cooper Rush to start Falcons' season opener vs. Steelers
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