Falcons QB Cooper Rush to start vs. Panthers with Michael Penix Jr. ruled out again

Michael Penix Jr. still isn’t ready to make his 2026 debut for the Atlanta Falcons.

Cooper Rush will start at quarterback in Sunday's Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Friday. Rush took the starting reps in Friday’s practice, indicating he would make his second start of the season.

Penix was officially ruled out for Sunday's game. The third-year QB took strides forward this week, including being a full participant in practice all three days, but isn’t quite ready to start as he continues to rehab last season’s ACL tear. The Falcons have been cautious with the former first-rounder as he recovers from a third ACL tear (the first two coming in college).

Tua Tagovailoa appeared to be in line to open the season as the starter but suffered an oblique injury in practice before Week 1. The more time he remains on the shelf -- coupled with poor preseason play -- the harder it is to see him getting a legit shot in ATL.

Tagovailoa is officially doubtful to play, but Stefanski said Friday that Jack Strand will be Rush's backup against Carolina.

Despite a back issue that popped up late last week, Rush started Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 32-year-old backup struggled mightily, completing 12 of 22 attempts for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, including a game-sealing pick-six. Rush couldn’t stretch the field, with just six pass attempts (two completions) going further than 9 air yards. Six of his 12 completions were behind the line of scrimmage. He did not complete a pass when pressured, per Next Gen Stats.

Atlanta hopes last week’s struggles were a byproduct of Rush playing on short notice and dealing with a tweaked back. If it’s more of the same, the Falcons will start the season 0-2.

Either way, expect a lot of Bijan Robinson again in Week 2 against the Panthers, who gave up 100-plus rushing yards to two different Chicago running backs last week.