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NFL·PREVIEW·September 18, 2026 10:58 PM ET

Rush gets Falcons start; Strand moves to backup

Tua Tagovailoa was absent from QB drills

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 191 min read
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Stefanski: Cooper Rush will start. Jack Strand will be the backup. #Falcons

What happened: Stefanski set Atlanta's game-day quarterback order with Cooper Rush on top and Jack Strand behind him. Earlier drill work this week had Michael Penix Jr. second and Strand third, so the backup designation is the new wrinkle.

Why it matters: The move extends Cooper Rush's earlier climb to the top of Atlanta's depth chart. It also adds another turn in a quarterback room that had Tagovailoa listed first for Week 2 earlier this week.

What to watch: The next check is whether Atlanta keeps Strand as the No. 2 option on the active depth chart and how Tagovailoa's status develops closer to kickoff.

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