The Falcons made a few roster adjustments Saturday, but all eyes in Atlanta are on Cooper Rush.
Rush dealt with back spasms earlier in the day, a late-week scare that lands less than 24 hours before the Falcons open the season against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Even with that issue, he is still expected to start Sunday.
Atlanta’s quarterback situation has been a moving target all week. Michael Penix Jr. has already been ruled out for the opener, and Tua Tagovailoa was also ruled out after being named the Falcons’ starting quarterback to begin the season. That leaves Rush as the starter, with Jack Strand set to back him up.
The Falcons also elevated tight end Nick Muse and edge rusher Bralen Trice from the practice squad as standard elevations. In a separate move, offensive tackle Cameron Williams was placed on the reserve/injured list, which knocks him out for Sunday’s game.
Williams’ absence is another hit to the offensive line. He was claimed off waivers after the initial cutdowns two weeks ago. With him sidelined, Michael Jerrell is expected to remain the No. 1 backup at both right and left tackle, and rookie Ethan Onianwa could now be active on Sunday.
Trice is a name to watch among the elevations. Atlanta only kept two true edge rushers on the initial 53-man roster, Za'Darius Smith and Samson Ebukam, so the added depth matters.
Trice, who came back to the Falcons after spending time on the practice squad, could also factor on special teams. He has never been on an active roster on game day, so if he gets onto the 48-man squad Sunday, it would mark the former third-round pick’s debut.
Muse gives the Falcons another option at tight end, but the bigger concern remains whether Rush can hold up against a Steelers defense that is expected to bring pressure throughout the afternoon. Atlanta signed him in the offseason for experience and stability behind Penix, and that presence will be even more important now.
The Falcons will need Rush to manage the offense, protect the football, and do enough to keep them in position to win in Pittsburgh.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium.
In Other News...
Falcons Let A Winnable Opener Slip Away For One Big Reason
For stretches in the opener, the Falcons had every reason to think they could leave Pittsburgh with a win. They stayed in the game long enough to make it a one-score fight, and the result was still there for the taking until T.J. Watt turned the afternoon with a game-changing interception return touchdown that swung the momentum and helped the Steelers pull away for a 20-13 win.
Aaron Rodgers finished 24 of 40 for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Cooper Rush threw for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the defining play was the one Atlanta could not afford to give away. Instead of opening the season at 1-0, the Falcons head home at 0-1 with Carolina next, already searching for the cleaner finish that might have made this a very different postgame conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Enter Week 1 Already Fighting To Keep Offense Together
The Falcons are heading into Week 1 with an offense already patched together, as injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. have pushed Cooper Rush into the starting quarterback role against the Steelers. With the depth chart thinned out in more than one spot, Atlanta has even had to get creative with roster coverage, naming Olamide Zaccheaus as an emergency third-string quarterback and running back.
Kevin Stefanski is clearly aware of the balancing act ahead, urging Rush to lean on Bijan Robinson and the other playmakers around him as the Falcons try to keep the offense functional early. It is a reminder that before the first snap is even taken, Atlanta is already dealing with the kind of Week 1 uncertainty teams usually hope to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Puts Cameron Thomas Under Real Pressure
Cameron Thomas has gone from camp standout to Week 1 starter on the edge, giving the Falcons a clearer answer opposite Brandon Dorlus as they open the season. Atlanta is leaning on a rotation at pass rusher because injuries and suspensions have thinned that group, and Thomas earned the job by putting together a strong training camp.
Za'Darius Smith is still part of the mix, but he is working his way back into football shape after stepping away last season, which makes the early workload around him more interesting. For Thomas, the chance is real and immediate, and the way Atlanta handles that edge rotation will say plenty about how ready it thinks this pass rush is right now. [Read more 🡒]