The Falcons’ quarterback situation seems even murkier after head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to the media on Wednesday. But Stefanski said he isn’t frustrated.

“We want to be able to win and play well regardless of who’s in,” Stefanski said, and saying that the frustration actually comes from losing and falling short on the field.

Advertisement

Cooper Rush will practice fully on Wednesday, per Stefanski. I’d expect Rush to remain on the injury report today as he is still getting treatment on his back.

“Not many guys are 100% coming out of Week 1,” Stefanski said.

Tua Tagovailoa will not practice on Wednesday, but Stefanski said Tua is “getting better.” We didn’t hear anything new from Stefanski on Michael Penix — he’s still progressing and the team and medical staff are happy with the progress, but there is no timetable for him to take over as the starter.

And Stefanski declined to rule any quarterback out for Week 2’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. Yes, that does create the possibility for Jack Strand to see some action on Sunday.

Advertisement

Bijan Robinson also spoke to the media before practice, and he shared that it is a little challenging to not know who’s starting at quarterback on Sunday — and the fact that Tua and Penix are both lefties and Rush is right-handed is an additional wrinkle. If they’re designing this game plan around Rush, and they decide Friday that Tua will be the starter, it changes the direction of each play.

But it doesn’t matter to Bijan who starts at quarterback — even if it means a LOT of touches like he had against the Steelers in Week 1.

“We have so many great playmakers on the offense,” says Bijan. “…for me, it’s whatever I can do to help my team win the game.”

And the skill players have to bring the energy and focus to prep this week so they’re prepared for anything, Bijan said.

I’m still expecting Rush to start on Sunday against the Panthers, but I’d love to be surprised by Tua, or even better, by Penix.