Right off the bat, the Atlanta Falcons are staring down Week 2 with a massive question mark at quarterback after Cooper Rush’s rough outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that while Michael Penix Jr. is a full practice participant this Wednesday, Tua Tagovailoa won’t be out there at all, sidelined by an oblique injury.
Tua’s Trouble Keeps Rising
This Tua situation is getting wild, right? He was penciled in as the Week 1 starter, then suddenly he’s a limited participant on Thursday, completely sits out Friday’s practice, and then BAM, ruled out for the Steelers game. You have to wonder what’s really going on there. An oblique injury can mess with a QB big time, and with him out of Wednesday’s practice too, it’s clear he’s not ready to go. The team’s not saying much about Penix’s exact practice workload, which just adds to the mystery.
Penix’s Past and Present Puzzlers
Then you have Michael Penix Jr., the guy who was actually a full go in practice all three days last week. But get this: he basically told Stefanski it was *his* call not to play against Pittsburgh. “I just told him I’m not where I want to be right now,” Penix said on September 7th. “And I want to be able to be 100% so I can help the team win football games. And I’m really close. Really close.” That’s a brave call, especially for a first-round pick from 2024. He’s started 12 games over his first two seasons, with 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three picks in nine games back in 2025. But this dude has a history, folks. He suffered a partially-torn ACL in his left knee last season against the Panthers, his *third* ACL injury overall, with the first two on his right knee. So, he’s “really close” but still holding back. That’s a huge gamble.
So, what does this all mean for Sunday’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers? Cooper Rush is practicing too, but after going 12-of-22 for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against Pittsburgh, can they really roll with him again? This isn’t just about winning one game, it’s about what this early season chaos does for team confidence. Stefanski has a tough call to make for their 1 p.m. ET matchup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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