Might QB3 be QB1 for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Week 1 starter Tua Tagovailoa left practice early on Thursday with an oblique injury leading to Cooper Rush taking the starter’s reps. The Falcons are already without pivot Michael Penix Jr., who is continuing to recover from an ACL tear.
Tagovailoa, 28, appeared to tweak his back during the portion of the broadcast open to media, captured here by NBC Atlanta’s Reggie Chatman Jr. He later appeared on the injury report with an oblique injury.
After the practice, Rush told reporters he knew nothing of Tagovailoa’s status. Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons following his release from the Miami Dolphins after six seasons.
Rush, 32, heads into his ninth NFL season out of Central Michigan. He spent 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens after suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys for the first seven years of his career. A native of Charlotte, MI, Rush has appeared in 42 career games, starting 16 of them.
For his career, Rush has thrown for 3,766 yards on 364-for-596 passing with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Jack Strand is also on the Falcons roster.
The Falcons have not made the playoffs since 2017.
