Cooper Rush starts for Falcons against Steelers in NFL Week 1
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 6:59 PM
Last updated Sep 11, 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.
- 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
- 5:32 PMYahoo Sports — Falcons to start former Cowboys QB vs. Steelers in NFL Week 1
"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 be starting at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons with Tua Tagovailoa injured. Here's what it means in fantasy football.
Sources
External links- 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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