Who Should I Start? Tua Tagovailoa or C.J. Stroud

Thursday, September 17, 3:17 PM

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday with an oblique injury and is not going to play in Week 2 on Sunday against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Veteran backup Cooper Rush has been dealing with back spasms, but he made the start in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be available to make another start this weekend against Carolina. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered late last year, but he has also been a full participant in practice this week and split first-team reps with Rush on Thursday. The Falcons are being cautious with Penix, whom they view as their long-term franchise QB, and he was also a full practice participant last week before he was eventually ruled out in Week 1. Because Penix has not taken all of the first-team reps in practice this week, Rapoport believes that Rush will make a second straight start this week. Meanwhile, Tagovailoa, who continues to struggle to stay healthy, could be cut by the Falcons once Penix is given the green light to make his 2026 debut.