Less than a week after being named the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will not play in Week 1. Tagovailoa is sidelined due to an oblique injury.
The Falcons will visit Pittsburgh without both Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. in uniform. Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Tagovailoa is now “week-to-week.” Penix was already marked as out for the week.
Stefanski clarified that Tagovailoa’s injury is not linked to a previous back issue. That earlier problem kept him out of practice for about a week, as reported by ESPN.
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Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will be starting on Sunday. Rush recently played against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason game.
Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, appeared in nine of the Falcons’ first ten games last season. A torn ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers ended his season. He’s medically cleared but not yet at full strength for 2026.
Penix spoke about his condition, saying, “I want to be 100 percent so I can help this team win.” He added that he’s “really close” to returning.
The Falcons signed Rush following Tagovailoa’s back concerns earlier in training camp. Rush has played in 42 regular-season games over his eight-year NFL career, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys. He spent the last season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jack Strand, an undrafted free agent, will back up Rush. Strand impressed fans during the preseason, recording 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.