QB
Cooper Rush
- Fantasy team
- Free agent
- Salary
- –
- Contract
- –
- Roster spot
- –
- NFL team
- ATL
- Age
- 32
- NFL status
- Active
- Next game
- @ NO Mon 8:15 PM ET
News
- Rush (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game versus Green Bay but will serve as the emergency quarterback.
Rush started for Atlanta in the team's first two games of the 2026 campaign. However, the signal-caller struggled overall, throwing for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions while completing just 56.4 percent of his attempts. With Michael Penix (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) back in the equation, Rush will be inactive against the Packers, though he will be available in an emergency situation.
RotoWire via ESPN - Rush completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing twice for 20 yards before being benched in the third quarter of the Falcons' 34-3 loss to the Panthers on Sunday.
Rush's afternoon was about as difficult as his numbers suggest, and after he tossed his second interception of the day with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter, the veteran quarterback's day was done. Rookie replacement Jack Strand wasn't any better and tossed a pick-six during his time in the game, but if either Michael Penix (knee) or Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is able to suit up for Thursday's Week 3 road matchup against the Packers, Rush may not necessarily be a shoo-in for No. 2 quarterback duties over his first-year teammate.
RotoWire via ESPN - Coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Rush will start Sunday's contest against the Panthers, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
At the same time, Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was deemed doubtful to play, and Michael Penix (knee) was ruled out for Week 2 action, per Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site. Rush got the Week 1 nod under center with both Tagovailoa and Penix sidelined, but he didn't fare too well through the air, completing 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while getting sacked four times.
RotoWire via ESPN - Rush is expected to start Week 2 against Carolina after taking the Falcons' first-team reps Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Tua Tagovailoa (back) hasn't practiced this week, and Michael Penix (knee) apparently isn't ready to play. Rush completed just 12 of 22 pass attempts in Sunday's 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh despite sending 10 of those passes to RB Bijan Robinson, who accounted for 65.8 percent of the team's yards from scrimmage.
RotoWire via ESPN - Rush split first-team reps with Michael Penix (knee) at Wednesday's practice, Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Rush struggled his way to 143 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions in last Sunday's loss to the Steelers, completing just 12 of 22 passes in the process. Physically, he said he feels good after dealing with a minor back issue last week. "I think it's been a lot better since Sunday," Rush said. Penix practiced fully Wednesday and could draw the Week 2 nod against Carolina.
RotoWire via ESPN
Injury reports
| Week | Game status | Injury | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | — | Back | Full Participation in Practice |
League history
Nothing yet: he hasn’t been drafted, signed, traded or cut in this league.