NFL Player News

Rush will start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was ruled out for Week 1 action, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.

Tagovailoa suffered an oblique strain during Thursday's practice and now will join Michael Penix (knee) on the sideline this weekend. Rush handled the first-team reps in the final two sessions of Week 1 prep and thus will be under center Sunday, with Jack Strand backing him up. Because coach Kevin Stefanski told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com on Friday that Tagovailoa is "week-to-week," Rush could be in consideration for multiple starts to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Tagovailoa opened the week getting the call as Atlanta's Week 1 starting quarterback but ended it sidelined due to an oblique injury that he sustained during Thursday's practice. Coach Kevin Stefanski told Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com on Friday that Tagovailoa is "week-to-week," which would seem to suggest multiple DNPs are on the horizon for the QB. In any case, Tagovailoa will join Michael Penix (knee) in street clothes Sunday, while Cooper Rush gets the nod under center and Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com serves as his backup.

Tagovailoa (oblique) wasn't on the field for the media-access portion of Friday's practice, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Tagovailoa is considered day-to-day after suffering an oblique strain during Thursday's practice. His absence Friday suggests there's serious risk the Falcons will end up starting Cooper Rush this Sunday in Pittsburgh. The team has yet to announce any kind of decision, beyond ruling out Michael Penix (knee) at the start of the week. It won't be surprising if Penix is under center by the end of the month, however.

Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while rushing twice for minus-1 yard during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The reigning NFL MVP looked anything but during a shockingly poor performance by his side of the ball, and Stafford finished with his lowest passing yardage total since Week 11 of last season. The veteran signal-caller tossed his one interception shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter on a pass intended for Puka Nacua just inside the 49ers' 15-yard line, a play that was costly both from the standpoint of the potential scoring opportunity it short-circuited and the fact it led to a San Francisco touchdown. Stafford's first chance to atone comes in a Week 2 home matchup against what is expected to be a fearsome Giants pass rush on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding five rushes for 29 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

After an offseason in which the Rams' fearsome pass rush garnered plenty of headlines, Purdy navigated the season-opening matchup against his talented NFC West rival in nearly flawless fashion. The fifth-year signal-caller got off to a fast start with new No. 1 receiver Mike Evans, connecting with him on three occasions for 22 yards during a 15-play opening drive that culminated in a field goal. Purdy went on to hit Evans for a contested two-yard scoring strike early in the third quarter, and he sandwiched impressive touchdown tosses to Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel of 39 and 15 yards, respectively, around that play. Purdy's early second-quarter interception on a pass intended for George Kittle did lead to the Rams' only touchdown, but as the final numbers indicate, the veteran quarterback did more than enough to atone. Purdy should have a strong chance of carrying over the season-opening momentum into Week 2, as a home date with what's expected to be a vulnerable Dolphins defense awaits on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Simpson is inactive as the Rams' emergency third quarterback for Thursday's matchup against San Francisco in Melbourne, Australia, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

It thus appears Stetson Bennett has won Los Angeles' No. 2 QB job, at least for the first game of the season. Simpson, who was taken by the Rams in the first round of April's NFL Draft, can make his NFL debut Thursday only if both starter Matthew Stafford and Bennett have to exit due to injury, illness, or ejection.

Lock is likely to start Week 2 against the Cardinals, as Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports that Sam Darnold (hip) is expected to miss at least one game.

Lock stepped up in relief after Darnold was hurt in the first quarter of Wednesday's season opener, as the backup guided the Seahawks to a 13-10 win over the Patriots while finishing the game with 187 passing yards and one touchdown. Darnold hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 2, but the Seahawks are likely to take a cautious approach with their starting QB since the strength of Seattle's team is the defense, so Lock is in good position to hold the fort effectively while Darnold recovers. Lock has a 10-18 career regular-season record as a starter.

Bennett is set to work as the Rams' backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford on Thursday versus San Francisco, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.

Rookie Ty Simpson has been deemed Los Angeles' emergency third quarterback for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia, leaving Bennett to serve as Stafford's backup. Bennett has yet to take an NFL regular-season snap and doesn't figure to see action Thursday unless Stafford has to exit early or the game turns into a blowout by either side.

Bagent (back) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Bagent was competing with veteran Case Keenum for the No.2 quarterback job during the preseason, but Bagent's injury issue might make the team's decision an easy one in Week 1. Unless he's able to practice in some capacity Friday, it's unlikely Bagent will suit up for Sunday's game at Carolina.

Tagovailoa (oblique) is considered day-to-day due to the strained oblique that he suffered during Thursday's practice, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reports.

Tagovailoa went to the ground during individual drills Thursday and then grabbed at his back after getting to his feet. Subsequently, he missed the rest of the session while reserve QB Cooper Rush handled all the reps with the first-team offense. Tagovailoa officially was a limited participant in the Falcons' second practice of Week 1 prep, and the potential now exists for him to join Michael Penix (knee) in street clothes this weekend. The team may make a decision on Tagovailoa's status as soon as Friday's injury report, and if he's ruled out, Rush would be in line to direct Atlanta's offense Sunday at Pittsburgh.