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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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Wednesday’s injury news likely has Atlanta Falcons fans at least a little worried.
The team released Kirk Cousins early in the offseason, banking on Michael Penix Jr. to start looking like the passer they envisioned him being when they drafted him eight overall back in 2024.
Atlanta also brought in veteran and former fifth overall pick Tua Tagovailoa to push and compete with Penix Jr. in training camp. But neither player was on the field Wednesday, which forced the Falcons to bring in another veteran signal-caller.
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“With Atlanta QB Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a tight back and Michael Penix still not practicing due to a knee injury, the Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Cooper Rush, per sources,” ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on X.
“Tua Tagovailoa’s back issue is not considered serious and he should be back next week,” Schefter added. “Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said QB Tua Tagovailoa ‘will be out there sooner rather than later.’”
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Rush, 32, spent the first seven years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Baltimore Ravens last season. He's thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while going 10-7 record as a starter.
It’s not known how long Penix Jr. will be out for due to his back injury, but it appears Tagovailoa’s ailment doesn’t seem to be serious. Most expect the 28-year-old Alabama alum to win the starting job over the unproven Penix Jr.
In six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Tagovailoa threw for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions with a 96.4 passer rating and a completion percentage of 68.
He 44-32 as the starter and led the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2023. Conversely, the Falcons haven’t been to the postseason since 2017 — three years before Tagovailoa’s rookie year.
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