Backing up Tagovailoa in Week 1
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Rush will serve as the top backup to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the Falcons' Week 1 game against the Steelers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Though the decision on the Falcons' Week 1 starter came down to Michael Penix (knee) and Tagovailoa, Penix will ultimately be inactive for the season opener rather than serving as the No. 2 quarterback. Penix took part in just six 11-on-11 practices during training camp while completing his recovery from the ACL surgery he underwent last November, so the Falcons will wait for him to get more reps in before making him available for his 2026 debut, either as a replacement in the starting lineup for Tagovailoa or as Tagovailoa's top backup. With Penix out of the mix for at least the first game, Atlanta will go with the more seasoned Rush over undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the No. 2 option behind Tagovailoa.
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Tua Tagovailoa
Experiences possible back discomfort
Tagovailoa touched his back and sat down briefly during individual drills Thursday, then wasn't seen throwing again during the portion of practice open to media, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Zachariah Branch
Limited with hamstring injury
Branch (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Michael Penix Jr.
Will be inactive for opener
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix (knee) will be inactive for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Michael Penix Jr.
Won't start in Week 1
Penix (knee) won't start the season opener Sunday in Pittsburgh, after the Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their top quarterback heading into Week 1, Will McFadden and Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
Tua Tagovailoa
Will start Week 1
The Falcons will have Tagovailoa start at quarterback in Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Michael Penix Jr.
Will start 'eventually,' if not Week 1
The Falcons plan for Penix (knee) to start "eventually" this season, but head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to decide whether Penix or Tua Tagovailoa will direct the offense Week 1 in Pittsburgh, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Bijan Robinson
Expecting more open running room in 2026
Robinson said Thursday that he's noticed an emphasis from the Falcons' new coaching staff in scheming up ways to create open up running room and help him reach the second level more quickly, Will McFadden of the team's official site reports. "We have a lot of different variations," Robinson said. "But, for me, it's to create space for yourself. [Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees] does a really good job of being intentional in trying to get us to the second level as fast as possible because when we get to the second level, I feel like that's where we're super dangerous as runners."
Brian Robinson
Expected to have role at goal line
The Athletic's Josh Kendall expects Robinson to have a goal-line role for the Falcons this season.
Zachariah Branch
Returns punt in preseason win
Branch returned a punt for 18 yards during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.
Drake London
Sees minimal work vs. Miami
London played eight snaps on offense and didn't show up in the box score otherwise during the Falcons' 17-12 preseason win over the Dolphins on Friday.