Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski offered little clarity this week on the team’s murky quarterback situation ahead of a Week 2 home game against NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.
Stefanski told reporters Wednesday that he is “not ruling anybody out.” His comments came as Cooper Rush, who replaced an injured Tua Tagovailoa in the Falcons’ season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, participated fully in practice after dealing with a back issue four days earlier.
Rush finished the 20-13 loss to the Steelers with 143 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski reacts during the first half of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 13, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury in practice days before the Falcons were scheduled to kick off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was ruled out for the opener, remained listed as day to day entering Wednesday’s practice and had yet to participate in practice this week.
Rush continued to receive treatment Wednesday for a back spasm that flared up Saturday, Stefanski said.
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Stefanski declined to say whether Tagovailoa would start if healthy.
“Of course, ideal world, I think everybody, every team, you’d love to know who’s playing at every position,” Stefanski said. “That’s a no-brainer. I get that part. But we’re going to be flexible and make sure that we’re giving all of our guys the ability to go play and play well.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (No. 13) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa, on Sept. 13, 2026. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Michael Penix Jr. is widely expected to take the starting quarterback job at some point this season. Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, started nine of the Falcons’ first 10 games last season, missing the Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins with an injury before returning in Week 9.
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He tore his ACL in a Week 11 match-up against the Carolina Panthers and has since been medically cleared to return, though he recently told reporters he wants to feel closer to full strength before taking the field in 2026.
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“I had that conversation and I just told [coach Stefanski], ‘I’m not where I want to be right now,'” Penix said earlier this month. “I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I’m really close.”
Falcons quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. gave fans, what looks destined to be, an all-time meme early in the preseason. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent from Minnesota State Moorhead, was listed as Rush’s backup in Week 1. He quickly won over many fans with a series of highlight-reel plays during the preseason, finishing the exhibition slate with 306 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
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His opportunities to build on that momentum, however, have been limited, as practice reps typically dwindle once training camp ends and the regular season begins. Even so, Strand remains a possibility for Sunday’s game against Carolina.
“Jack is not being ruled out for this game,” Stefanski said.
The Panthers lost their season opener 59-37 to the Chicago Bears in Charlotte.