The Falcons will be without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday against the Steelers after he was ruled out with an oblique injury, the team announced Friday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Cooper Rush will get the start in Week 1.
Tagovailoa appeared to grab at his side or back in discomfort after a pass during the media viewing period of practice Thursday, then sat down on the grass before getting up and jogging off. Stefanski said Tagovailoa is considered week-to-week.
Rush took all the first-team offense reps Thursday and did all the passing in drills during the media viewing portion of practice Friday. Tagovailoa had just been named the Falcons starter Monday after a competition with Michael Penix Jr.
Penix communicated to the team that he did not feel ready yet for live game action coming off left ACL surgery last November. He will be listed as inactive Sunday, though he has continued to be a full participant in practice after being fully cleared two weeks ago.
Rush, 32, was signed by the Falcons on the eve of training camp when Tagovailoa came into camp with a tight back, an injury Stefanski said is unrelated to Tagovailoa's current oblique issue. Rush has started 16 games with a 9-7 record in those starts, and struggled with the Ravens last season in four games, including two starts, completing 65.4% of his passes for 303 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions in 2025.
