Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. Injury Updates Provided by Falcons HC Ahead of Panthers Game

After Cooper Rush struggled in Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons have not decided who will start at quarterback in Week 2.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday that Michael Penix Jr. will be a full practice participant, but Tua Tagovailoa won't participate due to an oblique injury.

Stefanski did not specify all of what Penix will be doing as the Falcons evaluate their options for Sunday's matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

Tagovailoa was in line to start Week 1 before popping up on the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday. He sat out the final practice on Friday before being ruled out against the Steelers.

It's also notable that Penix was listed as a full practice participant for all three days last week. He seemed to indicate earlier in the week that it was his call not to play vs. Pittsburgh because he didn't feel up to the level required yet coming off ACL surgery.

"I just told him I'm not where I want to be right now," Penix said on Sept. 7 about a conversation he had with Stefanski. "And I want to be able to be 100% so I can help the team win football games. And I'm really close. Really close."

Penix suffered a partially-torn ACL in his left knee in a Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers last season. He had surgery soon after, marking the third ACL injury of his career dating back to college. The first two occurred in his right knee.

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Penix has started 12 games over his first two seasons. He threw for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in nine games during the 2025 campaign.

Rush, who is also set to practice on Wednesday, went 12-of-22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against Pittsburgh.

The Falcons will host Carolina in their home opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.