The Atlanta Falcons’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers just got a whole lot weirder, and not in a good way for the Dirty Birds. Tua Tagovailoa, the starting quarterback, is already out with an injury, leaving backup Cooper Rush to step up. But now, word is out that Rush is dealing with back spasms ahead of Sunday’s game, and yet, the Falcons still say he’s going to start. Talk about a curveball right before kickoff!
The QB Carousel No One Wanted
Man, what a mess this is for Atlanta. First, their main guy, Tua, is sidelined. That’s a gut punch right there. You always want your star under center for the season opener, especially against a tough team like Pittsburgh. But then, to hear that the guy replacing him, Cooper Rush, is battling back spasms? That’s just rough. Adam Schefter from ESPN dropped the news on X Saturday, confirming the spasms are a real issue. Back spasms are no joke for anyone, let alone an NFL quarterback whose job relies on rotation, throwing motion, and mobility. How sharp can he possibly be? How much is this going to affect his ability to drop back, step into throws, or even just take a hit? It puts a massive question mark over his performance before he even takes his first snap.
Rush’s Rocky Road
This isn’t Cooper Rush’s first rodeo under pressure, but man, the stakes are high. He’s been in the league for eight seasons, a journey that started with seven years playing for the Dallas Cowboys before heading to the Baltimore Ravens last season. With the Cowboys, he saw action in 38 games, starting 14 of them. Then, with the Ravens, he played in four games and started two. The guy knows what it’s like to be thrust into the spotlight, especially after he was under a ton of pressure last season when Lamar Jackson was injured. But facing the Steelers, with Aaron Rodgers leading their offense, and with your own back acting up? That’s a whole different level of pressure. Rodgers, for his part, is the Steelers’ starting quarterback and is expected to stay healthy throughout what’s slated to be his final NFL year, barring any unforeseen injuries. He’s a veteran, a legend, and he’ll be ready to pick apart a potentially vulnerable Falcons defense.
So here we are, staring down a Steelers-Falcons opener that feels completely unpredictable. Atlanta says Rush will start on Sunday in Pittsburgh, despite everything. Can he gut it out? Will the spasms limit him so much that it’s a completely different offense out there? This game is shaping up to be one weird matchup, and honestly, you gotta feel for Falcons fans watching their QB situation crumble right before their eyes. Sunday’s game is going to be a must-watch, if only to see how this wild story plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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