Falcons get Cooper Rush update for Week 2 amid unfortunate Michael Penix Jr. news

Coming into the 2026 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons were expecting to start either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. at the start of the season and all throughout the year.

Unfortunately, that's not how things have gone. Penix is still not 100% ready to come back just yet, and Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury at practice before Week 1. The Falcons had to start Cooper Rush in the first game of the season.

Now, heading into Week 2, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that the same QB situation is unfolding again. Rush is expected to start Week 2 for Atlanta, with Tagovailoa not practicing and Penix not yet ready for game action.

Falcons expected to make Cooper Rush starting QB in Week 2

"Falcons QB Cooper Rush is taking the first-team reps now and is expected to start Week 2, sources say," Rapoport reports. "No surprise, with Michael Penix Jr. not quite ready."

This is some unfortunate news for the Falcons, as getting Penix, or even Tagovailoa, back would've been something to be excited about for the second week of the season.

Rush against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 was a complete disaster. He went 12 for 22 for 143 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, and four sacks taken for 25 yards lost.

While the Panthers should be an easier matchup, after their defense gave up 59 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, there are still some real concerns about how well this Falcons offense will play under Rush.

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Jack Strand is a fun name, and he's likely to be the backup quarterback in Week 2, like he was in Week 1. But barring an injury, Strand is likely to stand on the sidelines the entire game.

It's a temporary solution to the Falcons' QB room, but it's already been a brutal one. Rush needs a better performance in Week 2; otherwise, if Penix and Tagovailoa miss another game, the Falcons might have to give Strand a chance as the starter in Week 3.

For now, however, the Falcons are expected to name Rush the starter against the Panthers. It's far from ideal, but this is the kind of matchup this Falcons team has a real chance of winning.

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