The Atlanta Falcons are winless after a Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that included a rough season-ending injury. Injuries to prospective starters Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa led to a Cooper Rush decision on Friday that fans hoped would not happen.

As the news continued to pour in, ESPN reporter Ian Rapoport dropped the latest news on the team's former first round pick Michael Penix, Jr. and when he might get the starting nod.

“Michael Penix Jr., who they would love to be the starting quarterback, as soon as he is able to get out there, is confident enough to get out there, is confident enough to get out there, on that reconstructed ACL, the hope is sooner rather than later for Michael Penix, Jr., but until he feels like he can go, it's going to be Rush starting for the Atlanta Falcons,” Rapoport said.

Penix Jr. looked solid as a second-year starter for the Falcons in 2025-26, throwing for 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions on a 60.1 percent completion percentage. The former Washington Huskies star was taken with the eighth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and has big goals in mind for a Super Bowl run with Kevin Stefanski's team.

Stefanski and the Falcons have more depth than most teams at the quarterback position as Penix, Jr., Rush and Tagovailoa all have extended starting experience, but they will need better play out of Rush than his depressing Week 1 effort.

Rush will look to cut down on the turnovers in Week 2 against the Panthers while Penix Jr. and Tagovailoa look on. A Falcons win will do wonders for the team's morale, and the two injured quarterbacks' patience, heading into Week 3 against Green Bay.