Cooper Rush is Falcons Week 2 QB as wait for Michael Penix Jr. continues

The Falcons’ quarterback saga rolls on.Cooper Rush will make his second straight start for Atlanta on Sunday in their home opener against Carolina, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.Former undrafted free agent Jack Strand will be Rush’s backup with Michael Penix Jr.ruled out and Tua Tagovailoa deemed doubtful.Penix is not quite ready to return from his left ACL surgery in November that ended his 2025 campaign.Rush took the bulk of the throws with the starters in practice Friday, while Penix threw with the practice squad.Tagovailoa, who the Falcons signed in the offseason after his release from the Dolphins for veteran insurance while Penix recovered, is also dealing with an oblique injury, suffered days before Week 1.Stefanski said Tagovailoa has not practiced this week, describing him as day-to-day as of Wednesday.The news comes after Stefanski would not rule anybody out — including Penix, Rush, Tagovailoa, and Strand — for the start earlier this week.Rush suffered a flareup of back spasms last Saturday, but has been receiving treatment and fully participating in practice.In his Week 1 start, Rush went 12 for 22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Steelers and posted a league-worst 2.6 quarterback rating in the 20-13 loss.The Falcons trailed by just three points in the fourth quarter before Rush’s pick-six by TJ Watt.Penix said Wednesday he’s feeling “close” to being ready to play.“I know I’ve been saying that, but there’s just a couple of technical things that I want to hit, some goals that I have that I want to achieve before I do stuff out on that field,” Penix said.“But I do feel really good, and we’re taking strides each and every day.”...