FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. --Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush experienced back spasms Saturday, but he will still start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced.
Rush was named the starter Friday after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out due to an oblique issue. Michael Penix Jr., who is still coming back from a torn left ACL last November, will be listed as inactive.
Tagovailoa grabbed at his side or back Thursday after a pass during the media viewing portion of Falcons practice. Tagovailoa took a seat on the grass before jogging off. Rush ended up getting all the reps with the first-team offense Thursday and then again Friday with Tagovailoa out.
The Falcons named Tagovailoa as the starter last Monday with Penix saying he was not yet ready for live game action. Penix was only cleared for full practices Aug. 24 after missing 11-on-11 team periods for most of camp. Penix did not play at all in the preseason, either. Atlanta signed Rush on July 29, the first day of training camp.
Tagovailoa came into camp with a tight back and missed the first few practices. Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Tagovailoa's back issue to start camp was not related to his current oblique injury.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian was also with the Falcons, but he was released at the start of training camp due to injury. The Falcons are carrying four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Tagovailoa, Penix, Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who will be Rush's backup Sunday in Pittsburgh.
