Kevin Stefanski 'not ruling anybody out' as injuries to Cooper Rush, Tua Tagovailoa cloud Falcons' QB plans

Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski offered little clarity this week on the team’s murky quarterback situation ahead of a Week 2 home game against NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.

Stefanski told reporters Wednesday that he is "not ruling anybody out." His comments came as Cooper Rush, who replaced an injured Tua Tagovailoa in the Falcons’ season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, participated fully in practice after dealing with a back issue four days earlier.

Rush finished the 20-13 loss to the Steelers with 143 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Steelers star pass rusher T.J.

Watt.

Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury in practice days before the Falcons were scheduled to kick off against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He was ruled out for the opener, remained listed as day to day entering Wednesday’s practice and had yet to participate in practice this week.

Rush continued to receive treatment Wednesday for a back spasm that flared up Saturday, Stefanski said.

FALCONS NAME SIXTH DIFFERENT WEEK 1 STARTING QUARTERBACK IN SIX YEARS Stefanski declined to say whether Tagovailoa would start if healthy.

"Of course, ideal world, I think everybody, every team, you'd love to know who's playing at every position," Stefanski said.

"That's a no-brainer.

I get that part.

But we're going to be flexible and make sure that we're giving all of our guys the ability to go play and play well." Michael Penix Jr. is widely expected to take the starting quarterback job at some point this season.

Penix, a 2024 first-round pick, started nine of the Falcons’ first 10 games last season, missing the Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins with an injury before returning in Week 9.

FALCONS STAR KYLE PITTS SR PREDICTS CFB PLAYERS WILL UNIONIZE, SAYS PRO PLAYERS RETURNING TO SCHOOL IS 'CRAZY' He tore his ACL in a Week 11 match-up against the Carolina Panthers and has since been medically cleared to return, though he recently told reporters he wants to feel closer to full strength before taking the field in 2026.