When the Atlanta Falcons travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the NFL season, they may be doing so without either of the quarterbacks who were in contention to be their starter this season. With Michael Penix Jr. still working his way back from an ACL injury, Tua Tagovailoa "won" the starting job by essentially being the only healthy option. At least, that was the case before Thursday's practice.
Tagovailoa seemingly injured himself while throwing a pass early in practice, holding his side and going to the ground briefly. He would end up watching on the sideline as third-string QB Cooper Rush took first-team reps the rest of the day, signaling that he would be the one to step up if the injury is serious enough to keep him out of Week 1.
While facing Tua wasn't exactly a scary prospect for the Steelers (just ask former head coach Mike Tomlin), Rush would present even less of a threat, as HC Mike McCarthy knows him well from their time together with the Dallas Cowboys.
Tua Tagovailoa injury may set up a battle bwtween the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike McCarthy's old backup QB
As of writing, there is no clear indication whether or not Tagovailoa is in danger of missing the game. He was listed on the Falcons' injury report as limited with an oblique, and Ian Rapoport reported that he is considered "day-to-day" for the time being.
#Falcons starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was limited in practice today, suffered an oblique strain that is considered day-to-day, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2026
His status is TBD for Sunday against the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/UwXn6KpjTJ
Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski already had his work cut out for him against Pittsburgh's new-look defense under Patrick Graham, but needing to go to Rush at QB would be a potential disaster waiting to happen. Not only did he struggle mightily for the Ravens last year in his two starts for them (34 of 52 passing for 303 yards and four interceptions), but McCarthy has more intel on the former UDFA than anybody else Atlanta could be facing.
The Falcons can still lean on their stellar rushing attack led by Bijan Robinson, but Rush will need to make at least a few big throws if they have any chance of earning a road win over Pittsburgh.
This was already a game that the Steelers cannot afford to drop, even if it's just Week 1. If they want ot be taken seriously as a contender in the AFC, losing a game to a team like Atlanta wouldn't exactly help their cause. That is even more true if they get to face Rush instead of Tua on Sunday.
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