Rap: Rush expected to start Week 2 vs. Panthers

Penix has now gone back-to-back weeks without eclipsing 200 yards. He found Charlie Woerner for a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, but couldn’t get much going for the rest of the game. Wide receiver Drake London dominated in a small sample with Penix healthy last year, but he’s had just two games with at least 100 yards and only one touchdown this season. Penix is a low-end QB2 heading into Week 10’s home matchup against the Chiefs.

Penix got off to a poor start and his play spiraled from there. He threw a pass directly at Bucs linebacker Alex Anzalone’s chest on the first play of Atlanta’s second drive for an easy interception. Anzalone then took the ball away two Penix throws later by, again, simply standing in the throwing lane. Penix wasn’t seeing the field and nothing changed as the game went on. He threw two more interceptions and had several other passes that could have been caught by the Bucs. Even his best play, a 76-yard toss to Jahan Dotson, was a throw into double coverage where two Bucs defensive backs collided, leaving Dotson wide open at the last second. This looked like an homage to Cooper Rush’s two catastrophic starts to open the season. Penix should rebound in Week 9 versus the Bengals, but his fantasy stock is undoubtedly on the decline. He is shuffling to the back of the QB2 ranks for Week 9.

The stats may make it seem like Penix had his way with the 49ers, but it didn’t seem like a seamless performance in reality. He missed some deep passes and overthrew Drake London on a clear touchdown in the second half. He really wasn’t able to get much going down the field, but the Falcons’ defense forced four turnovers, which set up some short fields that Penix was able to take advantage of. He gets a good matchup against the Bucs next week.

Rush’s release came after the Falcons signed Andy Dalton. Rush had a rough stretch with the Falcons, throwing for 229-1-4 in his two starts while completing 56.4 percent of his passes. Once regarded as one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league, Rush has struggled mightily in his two seasons away from the Cowboys, going 0-4 in his starts since 2024 while throwing one touchdown to eight interceptions. He could catch on elsewhere as a practice squad option in the coming days, but he seems like a long shot to start another game in 2026.

Penix was a mess in the first half, missing Drake London on what should have been an walk-in 30-yard touchdown. The Falcons abandoned the run game in the second half, facing a three touchdown deficit, and Penix threw three touchdowns in hurry-up mode. Taking five sacks on the day, Penix targeted London and Jahan Dotson heavily, connecting with Dotson on a nicely thrown 41-yard gain in the second half. This was the first multiple-TD game of Penix’s season. He’ll be a low-ceiling superflex play in Week 7 against the 49ers.

Penix was able to practice this week and will start for Atlanta in a potentially high scoring game against the Bears. Penix should be considered a streaming option in most formats. Falcons declared QB Cooper Rush, QB Jack Strand, CB C.J. Henderson, DB Malcolm DeWalt IV, LB Christian Harris, OL Ethan Onianwa, and DE Drake Jackson inactive against the Bears.

It was reported the day after the Falcons’ overtime loss to the Ravens that there was “optimism” that Penix would start in Week 6. After being upgraded to a full participant on Thursday’s practice, he seemed like a lock to be ready to go by Sunday, so Friday’s news isn’t all that unexpected. Penix has thrown for 719 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception this season, throwing one touchdown in each of his first three games. He’ll be on the fantasy radar in 2QB/Superflex leagues against a Bears defense that has allowed just two top-12 fantasy finishes to opposing QBs this season.

This is great news for the Falcons’ offense, which can barely function with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. Penix is firmly on track to play in Week 6 against the Bears, as long as he gets through the week setback-free. Penix can be viewed as a high-end QB2 with four teams on bye.

“We’ll see how he’s feeling,” head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Wednesday morning, adding that Penix should be able to play through the injury. Even if it’s a limited practice session for Penix, it’s good news for his Week 6 availability following his Sunday night rib injury against the Ravens. Penix, operating under center at a much higher rate than last season, is among the most efficient quarterbacks in the league through Week 5. If Penix is out, Tua Tagovailoa would represent a major downgrade for all Atlanta pass catchers.

Penix said after Sunday’s loss that he didn’t believe his injury would be long-term. He was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa in overtime because of his injury, but he also added that he likely would have gone back on the field had the Falcons received the ball to start the extra quarter. Instead, Penix said his pain worsened the longer he sat, which was why he ultimately didn’t go back in. Penix’s status will be one to monitor throughout the week. If he can’t start in Week 6, Tagovailoa would be in line to start his first game of the season.