Falcons sign Cooper Rush as Tua Tagovailoa nurses tight back
Atlanta added Cooper Rush with Tagovailoa sidelined by a tight back and Michael Penix Jr. still out of full team drills.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Falcons sign Cooper Rush with their quarterback room suddenly short on healthy arms, adding the veteran Wednesday while Tua Tagovailoa deals with a back issue and Michael Penix Jr. remains limited in his rehab.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tagovailoa is working through an injury and is expected back before long, according to the team’s official website. “He will be out there sooner rather than later,” Stefanski said.
ESPN reported that Tagovailoa is sidelined by a tight back. The report said the issue is not viewed as serious and that the quarterback is expected to return next week.
The timing still puts Atlanta’s quarterback competition on ice for the moment. Tagovailoa had been getting the bulk of the work during the offseason program while Penix continued his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last season.
What does Cooper Rush signing mean for the Falcons?
Rush gives Atlanta another healthy quarterback for camp practices while its top two passers are unavailable for full work. The move is being treated as a depth signing, with Rush arriving after the Falcons were left with undrafted rookie Jack Strand as their only healthy quarterback.
Rush, 32, brings eight NFL seasons of experience. He has played in 42 regular-season games, including 16 starts.
Last season with the Ravens, Rush appeared in four games and started two, completing 65.4% of his passes for 303 yards with four interceptions.
Where do Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. stand?
Tagovailoa’s absence slows a competition that had been one of Atlanta’s central training camp stories. The former Dolphins quarterback was in position to keep stacking first-team work while Penix stayed on a rehab plan.
Penix has not yet been cleared for full team activity, Stefanski said Wednesday on 92.9 The Game. That means he is still not taking part in 11-on-11 drills.
“Mike continues to do awesome in his rehab,” Stefanski said. He added that Penix would keep progressing on the field, but said the team had not reached the point where medical staff had cleared him for team drills.
Stefanski said the Falcons are keeping the focus on Penix’s daily rehab work. He also praised the quarterback’s attitude during the process.
Penix tore his ACL in Week 11 last season against the Panthers. In nine starts for Atlanta in 2025, the former first-round pick went 3-6, completing 60.1% of his throws for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
For now, Atlanta’s quarterback battle is waiting on medical clearance. Tagovailoa is expected back soon, Penix is still not in full team periods, and Rush has been brought in to keep camp functioning while the room gets healthier.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.