And it isn't very close at all.The Falcons on Sunday started third-stringer Cooper Rush for the second time this season while Michael Penix Jr.and Tua Tagovailoa were designated as inactive due to ongoing health issues.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.
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has been recovering from knee surgery following an ACL injury last season.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush prepares to take a snap during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept.20, 2026.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)FALCONS QUARTERBACK PROBLEMS DEEPEN AS TUA TAGOVAILOA SUFFERS OBLIQUE STRAIN AT PRACTICEAnd Tagovailoa was out for the second consecutive week after he suffered an unexpected oblique injury two weeks ago, this time in practice.Although no one touched him.Anyway, Rush got the call and he promptly stunk.Again.On Atlanta's opening possession, Rush lost the ball on a fumble, which the Panthers recovered at the Atlanta 35-yard line.
Carolina converted the turnover into a touchdown.Atlanta Falcons players Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Michael Penix Jr.(9) warm up together before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug.
14, 2026.(Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)Rush threw an interception on the following series, then added a second one later in the game.He completed 10 of 17 passes against the Panthers, which doesn't sound terrible except that you read the previous paragraphs that outlined Rush's, ahem, struggles with turnovers.This followed a Week 1 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which Rush also threw two interceptions."Obviously, extremely disappointed in that game and extremely disappointed in how that game started," Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said.
"And then [we] could not craw...