Falcons QB injury nightmare somehow gets worse before Week 1 vs. Steelers - Steelers Wire

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are the healthiest they've been in months, but the same can't be said for the Atlanta Falcons, who just saw their Plan C at quarterback suffer an injury of his own.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the healthiest they've been in months, but the same can't be said for the Atlanta Falcons, who just saw their Plan C at quarterback suffer an injury of his own.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons revealed that Cooper Rush, the team's QB3 who was set to start in Week 1, suffered back spasms on Saturday. Atlanta claimed that Rush would still start against the Steelers in Week 1.

The Falcons quarterback room has been devastated by injuries, as Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) have both been ruled out for Sunday's game, leaving Rush to get the starting nod. Behind Rush, the Falcons are down to only rookie Jack Strand. Atlanta's head coach Kevin Stefanski claimed the team would have an emergency third quarterback, with some speculating it could be wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.

Pittsburgh was dealing with some injuries at important positions of its own over the past month, including wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. But the team only listed Joey Porter Jr. (back) on the Week 1 injury report, which means the majority of its previously injured players are good to go this Sunday.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including injury updates and Pittsburgh's exciting Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

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https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2026/09/12/steelers-falcons-cooper-rush-suffers-back-spasms-week-1/91735594007/
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