Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Sep 18
Falcons Expected to Start Cooper Rush in 18th Career Start as QB Injuries Sideline 2 Options
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Sep 18

Falcons Expected to Start Cooper Rush in 18th Career Start as QB Injuries Sideline 2 Options

3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Sep 18

Summary

  • Cooper Rush took first-team reps Friday and is expected to start for Atlanta against Carolina on Sunday, giving him his second straight start to open the season.
  • Michael Penix Jr. is still not ready after tearing his ACL last November, while Tua Tagovailoa remains out with an oblique injury, leaving Rush as the Falcons' available option.
  • Rush enters with a 9-8 record across 17 career starts, but Atlanta faces a Panthers team that has beaten the Falcons three straight times.
  • Bryce Young is 4-1 against Atlanta, increasing pressure on Bijan Robinson after he produced 173 yards from scrimmage in Week 1 and accounted for 66% of the Falcons' offense.

Insights

With Cooper Rush posting a league-worst QBR, will Atlanta's run-heavy offense be enough to break Bryce Young's winning streak against them?
Can Bijan Robinson justify his record-breaking contract and make NFL history against a Panthers defense that just surrendered 291 rushing yards?