- May 21, 2026
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Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski did not name a starting quarterback for Week 2's home game against the Panthers at his Wednesday press conference.
The Falcons started Cooper Rush for their opener after ruling Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix out against the Steelers. Stefanski said that Tagovailoa will not practice on Wednesday due to an oblique injury, but Rush will be on the field despite receiving treatment for his back along with Penix. Penix is returning from last season's torn ACL and has been cleared for full practice, but said last week that he does not feel all the way back from his injury yet.
"We will have a quarterback for this week," Stefanski said. "Not yet, but we’ll work through that this week. . . . I’m not ruling anyone out.”
After being asked about undrafted rookie Jack Strand later in the press conference, Stefanski confirmed that he has not been ruled out as a potential choice.
Stefanski declined to say whether Penix is getting the kind of first-team work that would signal he's got the green light for game action, which suggests the likeliest choice for this week is another start for Rush. The Falcons would then move on to a Thursday night game in Green Bay before an extended break leading into Week 4.
The Falcons started Cooper Rush for their opener after ruling Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix out against the Steelers. Stefanski said that Tagovailoa will not practice on Wednesday due to an oblique injury, but Rush will be on the field despite receiving treatment for his back along with Penix. Penix is returning from last season's torn ACL and has been cleared for full practice, but said last week that he does not feel all the way back from his injury yet.
"We will have a quarterback for this week," Stefanski said. "Not yet, but we’ll work through that this week. . . . I’m not ruling anyone out.”
After being asked about undrafted rookie Jack Strand later in the press conference, Stefanski confirmed that he has not been ruled out as a potential choice.
Stefanski declined to say whether Penix is getting the kind of first-team work that would signal he's got the green light for game action, which suggests the likeliest choice for this week is another start for Rush. The Falcons would then move on to a Thursday night game in Green Bay before an extended break leading into Week 4.