Falcons make major Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush starting decisions for Week 1
· Yahoo Sports
Falcons make major Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush starting decisions for Week 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Falcons likely wanted Michael Penix Jr. to be the Week 1 starter, but his recovery is taking too long for him to suit up to begin the season.
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Tua Tagovailoa was named the starter, but before he could even play a game, the left-handed quarterback sustained an oblique injury during practice and became questionable for Week 1's matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One day after that injury, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that Tagovailoa is now out for Week 1, and Cooper Rush will be the team's starting quarterback to begin the season.
Falcons rule out Tua Tagovailoa, name Cooper Rush QB1 for Week 1
"Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered an oblique injury, is experiencing enough discomfort that he will miss Sunday's game vs. the Steelers," Schultz reports. "Cooper Rush will start. Michael Penix Jr. is getting closer, but he's not there yet."
The Falcons will be rolling with Rush as their Week 1 starter, as Penix and now Tagovailoa, the team's QB1 and QB2, will miss the first game of the season.
Tagovailoa's future with the Falcons is very much in jeopardy, as Atlanta might just decide to cut ties with the former Miami Dolphins QB once Penix is back.
Considering he's now dealing with an injury and can't even suit up in Week 1, that decision might come before Tagovailoa even has a chance to play for the Falcons in the regular season.
Taking his place is Rush, the former Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback. He played well a few years ago, taking over for Dak Prescott, but during the preseason this year, he left a lot to be desired.
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On 48 pass attempts, he completed 30 passes (62.5%) for 254 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. Not exactly a great preseason for Rush, but with the team's top two QBs now out for Week 1, he's the starter.
Jack Strand is now the backup to Rush, and there is some hype about him after going 24 for 36 (66.7%) for 306 yards with one touchdown and one interception during the preseason.
He won't be starting, and likely won't see the field unless Rush gets hurt. But if the injuries to Penix and Tagovailoa linger, which is possible, Strand could see playing time early this year.
For now, the Falcons and Kevin Stefanski are handing the keys to the offense to Rush in Week 1 against a tough Steelers defense. It's a rough way to start the season, as both the Falcons' QB1 and QB2 are missing the first game of the season.
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