Falcons' Tagovailoa out, Rush to start vs. Steelers

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  Marc RaimondiSep 11, 2026, 01:57 PM ET

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  Marc Raimondi's first year covering the Falcons was 2024, but it wasn't his first year at ESPN. He joined the company in 2019 and was a top combat sports reporter. He also covered professional wrestling and wrote the book "Say Hello to the Bad Guys: How Pro Wrestling's New World Order Changed America," which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2025. Raimondi also worked for the New York Post and Newsday, beginning in 2009, covering high school and college sports, plus the NFL, NFL, MLB and NHL.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be out Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an oblique injury, the team said Friday. Cooper Rush will get the start in Week 1, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday.

Tagovailoa appeared to grab at his side or back in discomfort after a pass during the media viewing period of practice Thursday. He then sat down on the grass before getting up and jogging off. Stefanski said Tagovailoa is considered week-to-week.

Rush took all the first-team offense reps Thursday and did all the passing in drills during the media viewing portion of practice Friday.

Tagovailoa was just named the Falcons starter Monday after a competition with Michael Penix Jr. Penix communicated to the team that he did not feel ready yet for live game action coming off left ACL surgery last November. Penix, who was fully cleared for practice two weeks ago, will be listed as inactive Sunday, though he has continued to be a full participant in practice.

Rush, 32, was signed by the Falcons on the eve of training camp when Tagovailoa came into camp with a tight back. Stefanski said that injury is unrelated to Tagovailoa's current oblique issue.

Rush has started 16 games and his teams have a 9-7 record when he has started. He struggled with the Baltimore Ravens last season in four games, including two starts. In 2025, Rush completed 65.4% of his passes for 303 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions.

Overall, Rush has completed 61.1% of his career passes for 3,766 yards with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.