Cooper Rush has been named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons' Week 1 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to an announcement by head coach Kevin Stefanski on Friday. Rush will take the helm as Tua Tagovailoa, a 2023 Pro Bowler, is sidelined with an oblique injury.
Tagovailoa is considered "week-to-week" with the injury, which he reportedly sustained during practice on Thursday. He joined the Falcons in March on a one-year deal after his release from the Miami Dolphins. Last season, Tagovailoa appeared in 14 games, throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, with a passer rating of 88.5 and a 67.7% completion rate.
Jack Strand will serve as the backup quarterback for the Falcons. The team will be without Michael Penix Jr., who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered in Week 11 of the previous season and will not be on the active roster to start the year.
The 32-year-old Rush brings 16 NFL starts to the Falcons' offense. He most recently made two starts for the Baltimore Ravens last season and previously started 14 games for the Dallas Cowboys across the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons.
The Falcons' Week 1 game against the Steelers is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX.