FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an oblique injury, the team announced Friday. Cooper Rush will get the start in Week 1, coach Kevin Stefanski said.
Tagovailoa appeared to grab at his side or back in discomfort after a pass during the media viewing period of practice Thursday. He sat down on the grass before getting up and jogging off.
Stefanski said Tagovailoa is considered week-to-week.
"Disappointed for him, obviously," Stefanski said of Tagovailoa. "He's a very competitive person, so disappointed. But he's going to rally behind Coop and do everything he can to help Coop."
Rush took all the first-team offense reps Thursday and did all the passing in drills during the media viewing portion of practice Friday.
"That's the life of a backup quarterback," Stefanski said. "There's been great guys over the course of history that do an excellent job of staying ready so they don't have to get ready and step in. The reason you're able to do that is because you work so hard in the meeting room and on the practice field to stay up to speed.
"Now, in an ideal world, would you love to have gotten every rep? Of course. That's a no-brainer. But, I do think there's examples of guys that come in with no reps, and sometimes it's after the first play, sometimes it is on Play 59, whatever it is. And you're expected to compete, and you're expected to hold the standard of the room, in this case, the quarterback room. So Cooper's been a backup in his career. He's been the starter. He knows how to prepare."
Tagovailoa was named the Falcons' starter Monday after a competition with Michael Penix Jr., who communicated to the team that he did not feel ready for live game action as he continues to work his way back from left ACL surgery in 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.
Stefanski said Penix was never an option for Sunday's game, even after Tagovailoa's injury.
"No. Mike will be ready when he's ready," Stefanski said.
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 career 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.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
