The Beacon Brief, one report

Depth chartWeek 2Update: read the earlier report this one follows

Falcons QB Cooper Rush will start Sunday vs. Carolina with Jack Strand as backup; Michael Penix Jr. ruled out.

Starter: Cooper Rush
Backup: Jack Strand
Ruled Out: Michael Penix Jr.
Opponent: Carolina Panthers

Cooper RushQB, ATL Jack StrandQB, ATL Michael PenixQB, ATL Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers

Earlier reports on this story

PerformanceWeek 2
Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush were full participants in Falcons practice; Tua Tagovailoa did not practice.
Full Participants
Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush
Did Not Practice
Tua Tagovailoa
Michael PenixQB, ATL Cooper RushQB, ATL Tua TagovailoaQB, ATL Atlanta Falcons
Original report: @AdamSchefter on X (opens in a new tab), Sep 17, 2026, 3:54 PM EDT
Permalink: Michael Penix Jr. and Cooper Rush were full participants in Falcons practice; Tua Tagovailoa did not practice.