QB Tua Tagovailoa has officially been ruled OUT for the Atlanta Falcons season opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly putting Cooper Rush in line to start the season. Rush, who just joined Atlanta days before Training Camp, was slated to be an inactive emergency 3rd QB in the opener before Michael Penix declared himself not ready and Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury in practice on Thursday.
Tua ruled OUT; Cooper Rush to start vs. Steelers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 22: Cooper Rush #13 of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images
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