Cooper Rush Falcons
Cooper Rush Falcons
One day after being named the starter for the season opener on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an oblique injury to Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush is now dealing with back spasms, which could limit him in the Week 1 matchup.
According to Falcons senior reporter Tori McElhaney, Rush suffered back spasms Saturday, but the Falcons expect him to start on Sunday against the Steelers.
Additionally, the Falcons made a trio of roster moves Saturday afternoon, placing offensive tackle Cam Williams on Injured Reserve and elevating OLB Braelon Trice and TE Nick Muse to the Active/Inactive Roster.
The Falcons have placed OT Cam Williams on IR, and elevated OLB Bralen Trice and TE Nick Muse to the game day roster via a standard practice squad elevation.
Additionally, QB Cooper Rush experienced back spasms earlier Saturday but will start Sunday. https://t.co/6wiE8SSy6J
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) September 12, 2026
Tagovailoa suffered the back/oblique injury in practice Thursday, going down in an open portion of practice in front of the media. He was listed as limited on Thursday, but then didn’t practice Friday and was ruled out by head coach Kevin Stefanski, turning the attention to Rush.
Now, the veteran who spent time previously with Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas, and then was a member of the Baltimore Ravens last season, is dealing with back spasms, which could hinder him Sunday on the road. Undrafted free agent Jack Strand is the backup quarterback behind Rush as Tagovailoa is out, as is Michael Penix Jr.
Stefanski stated Friday that the Falcons would have an emergency third quarterback Sunday, but didn’t state who that would be. With Rush dealing with an injury now, we’ll see what Atlanta’s plan is for the emergency quarterback, which could become a factor.
While the quarterback situation is in flux for the Falcons, Atlanta is thin at pass rusher, making the elevation of Trice easy to understand. The Falcons are already without Jalon Walker due to a torn ACL and James Pearce Jr. due to an eight-game suspension. Veteran Za’Darius Smith was signed for veteran depth to help early in the season, but he’s dealing with a shoulder injury that has him listed as questionable entering Sunday.
Trice has never played a regular season snap in the NFL after being a third-round pick of the Falcons in the 2024 draft out of Washington. He’s dealt with multiple injuries in his career but appears healthy now, and could get his shot Sunday.
Muse, the younger brother of former Steelers LB Tanner Muse, is an interesting elevation, considering Atlanta is healthy at tight end with Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner and Austin Hooper, though he brings special teams abilities for Stefanski.