Starting preseason opener
Tagovailoa will start Friday's preseason opener against Denver, but coach Kevin Stefanski isn't ready to name the Week 1 starter, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Stefanski said Wednesday that the starters will stay in Friday's game for about 10 snaps or one series. For now, Tagovailoa is the starter by default with Michael Penix (knee) not yet cleared for contact or full-team drills. Stefanski is leaving the door open for Penix to earn the starting job, but that seems more likely to happen in-season than ahead of Week 1.
More Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football News
Brian Robinson
Handles nine carries in Week 1
Robinson rushed nine times for 31 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Kyle Pitts Sr.
Blanked in season-opening loss
Pitts failed to bring in his only target in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Cooper Rush
Scuffles in Week 1 spot start
Rush completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Drake London
Quiet day with backup QB
London brought in two of four targets for 29 yards and rushed once for six yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Bijan Robinson
Bright spot in Week 1 loss
Robinson rushed 21 times for 83 yards and brought in eight of 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. He also committed two fumbles, losing neither and recovering one.
Cooper Rush
Active for Week 1
Rush (back) is listed as active against the Steelers on Sunday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Michael Penix Jr.
Eyeing return for Week 2 or 3
Penix (knee) will be out for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh but is targeting Week 2 or 3 for his 2026 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Cooper Rush
Back feeling better ahead of Week 1 start
Rush reported improvement after experiencing back spasms Saturday and remains on track to start the Falcons' season opener Sunday versus the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Cooper Rush
Will start Week 1 despite back spasms
Rush (back) experienced back spasms Saturday but still will start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Zachariah Branch
In clear for Sunday
Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.