Following a 20-13 loss to the Steelers, Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said he is not ruling anybody out for the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has not named a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers following a 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Third-stringer Cooper Rush started that Week 1 contest, completing 12-of-22 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Rush finished the week with a league-low 2.6 QBR and is currently receiving treatment for back spasms that flared up on Saturday, though he is expected to be a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Tua Tagovailoa is considered day-to-day with an oblique injury and will not practice Wednesday. Stefanski declined to commit to Tagovailoa as the starter even if the quarterback is healthy enough to play. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. has been fully cleared to practice following left ACL surgery, but the team has not indicated he is ready for live game action.
Undrafted rookie Jack Strand remains a candidate to start after performing as the team's best quarterback during the preseason. While the Minnesota State-Moorhead product has seen limited practice repetitions since training camp concluded, Stefanski explicitly stated that Strand is not being ruled out for the Sunday matchup. The coaching staff intends to remain flexible as they evaluate the health and readiness of all four passers.
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