Michael Penix will be inactive in Week 1

Published September 7, 2026 10:41 AM The Falcons will be starting Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 against the Steelers and they won’t be turning to Michael Penix if they decide to make a change during the game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said at a Monday press conference that Penix will be inactive for the season opener. Cooper Rush will be the backup to Tagovailoa. Penix was cleared for full football activities in late August and did not play in the preseason, but Stefanski said that he has been pleased with the quarterback’s progress as he returns from a torn ACL. “We’re all on the same page, and feel good about where he is heading,” Stefanski said, via Tori McElhaney of the team’s website. Stefanski did not say when he thinks Penix will be ready for game action or what the quarterback depth chart will look like once that’s the case, which should make updates on the plans for the position a regular part of life in Atlanta for the near future.