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.
The Falcons never expressed much concern that the back issue would prevent Rush from playing Week 1, as he was never added to the injury report. Assuming Rush avoids any setbacks leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, he'll direct the Atlanta offense with Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix (knee) having been ruled out for Week 1.
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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
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.
Michael Penix Jr.
Still out Week 1, but FP all week
Penix (knee), who won't play Sunday in Pittsburgh, was seen throwing to practice-squad players during the open portion of Friday's practice, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Cooper Rush
Will start Sunday
Rush will start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was ruled out for Week 1 action, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Tua Tagovailoa
Ruled out for opener
Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Tua Tagovailoa
Not spotted at start of practice
Tagovailoa (oblique) wasn't on the field for the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
Tua Tagovailoa
Suffers oblique strain
Tagovailoa (oblique) is considered day-to-day due to the strained oblique that he suffered during Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.
Tua Tagovailoa
Dealing with oblique inujry
Tagovailoa was limited at Thursday's practice by an oblique injury, according to the Falcons' official site.
Zachariah Branch
Stays limited Thursday
Branch (hamstring) remained limited at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.