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    Rush benched after third turnover vs. Panthers

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    ATL Quarterback #13
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    Cooper Rush completed 10-of-17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions before being benched in the third quarter of the Falcons’ Week 2 game against the Panthers

    Rush opened the game with a lost fumble on Atlanta’s first offensive play of the day. Things somehow got worse from there. He was intercepted twice and nearly threw a third, but it went through the hands of Panthers linebacker Bobby Okereke. Rush was arguably the worst starter in the league in Week 1 and nothing changed in Week 2. With Michael Penix expected to make his 2026 debut next week, Rush may have just finished his final career start. Jack Strand will close this game out.
Can Arizona slow down the Rams pass rush?
Vaughn Dalzell and Drew Dinsick preview the NFC West showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals, where the Rams are heavy favorites at -9.5.

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  • FA Quarterback #13
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    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.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Rush will serve as the emergency quarterback over Jack Strand. LB Samsom Ebukam, who came into the weekend listed as questionable, will play against the Saints. The Falcons look to move into a tie atop the NFC South against their divisional opponent after beating the Packers in Week 3.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Rush sits ahead of Strand on the depth chart and has been labeled as this evening’s emergency third quarterback. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. Week 3 marks QB Michael Penix’s return to action following last year’s season-ending knee injury.
  • ATL Quarterback #18
    With the Falcons set to play on Thursday night, Stefanski will have little time to prepare his starter for the week. It’s hard to imagine the team going back to Cooper Rush after back-to-back disastrous starts to open the season, which could pave the way for rookie UDFA Jack Strand to make the start of Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still aren’t ready to go. Strand completed 8-of-15 passes for 59 yards and an interception in his first taste of NFL action. Stefanski did say he had a “decent idea” of who he thinks he will be starting this week, so we’ll likely have our answer soon.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    It was reported earlier that Rush was expected to draw the start, but with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) officially ruled out, it will be Rush getting the ball against the Panthers. Rush struggled in last week’s game against the Steelers, throwing for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 22 attempts. Drake London shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR2 in fantasy this week with Rush under center, while Kyle Pitts profiles as a boom-or-bust TE1 after putting up zero fantasy points in Week 1. Jack Strand will serve as Rush’s backup.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Rush is taking all of the first-team reps with the Falcons in Friday’s practice, and according to Rapoport, sources familiar with the situation expect Rush to get the nod on Sunday. With Rush under center, all Falcons pass-catchers receive a substantial downgrade after he struggled to move the ball in Week 1 against the Steelers. Fantasy managers hoping Drake London and Kyle Pitts can be of some value against a Panthers defense that allowed 269 yards and two passing TDs to the Bears last week should approach both players with caution. London is best trusted as more of a WR2, while Pitts, who saw one target on 21 routes last week, shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a boom-or-bust TE2 in what figures to be a run-heavy game for the Falcons.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Rush told reporters that he and QB Michael Penix (knee) split first-team reps, though the coaching staff already said Penix is not yet ready to take the field on game day. Rush or rookie QB Jack Strand will likely start, with QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) ailing.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Stefanski on Wednesday wouldn’t rule out any of his four quarterbacks of the apocalypse, including rookie QB Jack Strand, who flashed in preseason action against second and third-team defenses. Rush as abysmal in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Steelers. He was 10.5 percent below his expected pass rate, throwing for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. There’s almost no way Strand would be a downgrade for Week 2 if he gets the nod. Michael Penix (knee) will continued to be sidelined and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is questionable at best. Strand should be picked up in superflex leagues.
  • ATL Quarterback #1
    But, Rapoport added, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play this week. “Generally, for a throwing position, it’s not usually one week,” Rapoport added. Cooper Rush could be awaiting the Panthers in Week 2, and based on how Rush played in Week 1, that means the Panthers defense could go from allowing 59 points to being a streamable defense in Week 2.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
    Perhaps Rush was still feeling the effects of the back spasms that he experienced on Saturday, but the veteran did not look good on Sunday. He attempted just five passes longer than 10 yards downfield and was 2-for-5 on those passes. In clean pockets, Rush wasn’t really driving the ball down the field, even with the Steelers daring him to do it. The Falcons gained just 238 yards on the day, and it’s tough to have any confidence in the pass-catchers with Rush under center. He’ll look to bounce back with an easier game against the Panthers next week.

Rotoworld

  • NO Wide Receiver #0
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    New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett reports that the Saints had Jordyn Tyson work with doctors at the University of Wisconsin to address his recurring hamstring issues.

    Tyson has dealt with recurring hamstring injuries since October 2025, and was most recently sidelined by a hamstring strain suffered on August 13th. According to Triplett, the Saints sent Tyson to be evaluated by Dr. Heiderscheit and his team, which received a $4 million research grant from the NFL in 2021 to study hamstring issues, twice during his three-month rehab program. Dr. Heiderscheit successfully treated Packers WR Christian Watson’s recurring hamstring injuries in 2024. According to Triplett, the specialists “determined that something was a little small” in Tyson’s hamstring fascia, which allowed the Saints’ training staff to update Tyson’s exercise regimen with needed alterations. Per Tyson, the changes have allowed the tissue “to fire better.” Given Dr. Heiderscheit’s track record, Tyson’s odds of remaining healthy for the rest of the season are trending upward. He warrants WR3/FLEX treatment at this time.
  • SEA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Seahawks ruled out Leonard Williams (stinger) for Week 10 against the Cardinals.

    The Seahawks’ defense should be fine without him against a Raiders offense now led by rookie QB Fernando Mendoza. The Seahawks will have LB Uchenna Nwosu (ankle) and OG Anthony Bradford (knee) on the field this week, though.
  • DET Running Back #33
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    Sione Vaki (ankle) is questionable to play in Week 10 against the Patriots.

    Vaki sat out on Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. He remains a worthwhile stash as the Lions’ No. 2 running back. His backup, Jacob Saylors (neck/hamstring), is good to go.
  • DET Wide Receiver #14
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    Amon-Ra St. Brown (ribs) is questionable to play in Week 10 against the Patriots.

    St. Brown was listed as questionable in Week 9 after practicing in a limited capacity all week. He managed to suit up on game day, posting an 8/86 receiving line. He was limited in all three practices this week and once again got hit with the questionable tag. We expect him to play. He should be treated as a WR1, as usual, assuming he is active.
  • LV Wide Receiver #10
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    Dont’e Thornton (back) is questionable to play in Week 10 against the Seahawks.

    Thornton’s injury woes continue. The young wide receiver spent much of the year on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He had a back injury last week, and now another back injury threatens his availability. Thornton does not need to be rostered in 12-team formats, though he provides the team with a downfield element when active.
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    Vega Ioane (shoulder/knee) practiced in full on Friday.

    Ioane should have no issue playing against the Chargers on Monday night, nor should S Kyle Hamilton (hip), who has practiced in full in each of the last two days. Having Ioane on the field will be a big help for Jacoby Brissett in his first start for Baltimore.
  • BAL Wide Receiver #7
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    Rashod Bateman (calf) practiced in full on Friday.

    Bateman is firmly on track to play in the Ravens’ Monday Night Football game against the Chargers. Bateman will provide new QB Jacoby Brissett with a downfield option, but the veteran wide receiver is almost entirely reliant in ripping off one or two big plays, which has proven to be a difficult proposition for him on a weekly basis.
  • LAC Running Back #34
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    Keaton Mitchell (hip) was limited on Friday.

    Mitchell is trending in the right direction for the Chargers’ Week 10 game against the Ravens. The two teams play in this week’s Monday Night Football game. Mitchell is worth stashing in 12-team leagues, but he likely lacks RB2 upside.
  • LAC Tight End #83
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    David Njoku (fibula) was limited on Thursday.

    Njoku is still within his 21-day practice window and has remained limited for five straight practices. He could end up playing on Monday night, but he does not need to be rostered.
  • LAC Wide Receiver #9
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    Tre’ Harris (shoulder) practiced in full on Friday.

    Harris led the team in targets last week, but somehow managed just six yards on three catches. With Ladd McConkey (back) ailing, Harris could lead the team in targets again. He would only be a boom-bust FLEX in this case, though.