FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons will start quarterback Cooper Rush for the second straight week, coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday.
Rush will get the start against the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday with Michael Penix Jr. (ACL) not quite ready just yet. The Falcons left open the possibility of Penix returning earlier this week. Rush started in Week 1, a 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), who won the starting job out of training camp, did not practice this week and will be ruled out. He suffered the injury in practice last week and has not been back yet.
During the media viewing portion of practice Friday, Rush was throwing in the routes-on-air drill to the first-team receivers, with backup Jack Strand getting a few passes in, as well. Penix was throwing to the scout team receivers.
Rush has also been dealing with back spasms, which flared up last Saturday. Stefanski said he "wouldn't speculate" on Rush's health, but he has practiced fully and "doing better."
On Penix, Stefanski said, "It's a progression. Feel really confident in the plan."
Rush was 12-of-22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions last week. His ESPN QBR was 2.6, the worst mark in the league in Week 1.
Undrafted rookie Strand will be the backup quarterback Sunday, Stefanski said.