Falcons QB Cooper Rush suffered back spasms Saturday but remains in line to start against the Steelers tomorrow. He moved into the starting role after QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury at practice on Thursday, with undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand out of Minnesota State-Moorhead set to back up Rush.
What They're Saying: Sunday Start Still On
Daniel Flick, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Falcons QB Cooper Rush experienced back spasms earlier today but will still start Sunday, the team announced.
Something to monitor tomorrow. Jack Strand is QB2.”
Ian Rapoport, NFL Network: “Meanwhile, Falcons QB Cooper Rush experienced back spasms earlier Saturday but will start Sunday.”
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Strand a Snap Away From Playing Time
The Falcons' weapons like Drake London and Kyle Pitts certainly held a lower floor with Rush starting at QB, but things could turn south very quickly if Rush’s back spasms cause him to leave the game. That would put a raw Strand out there against a potentially strong Steelers defense.
Strand had a head-turning preseason, going 24-of-36 for 305 yards and a TD. He also ran for 29 yards and 2 TDs.
Strand had success at the Division II level, throwing for 3,546 yards and 42 TDs in his final season for the Dragons, but his 14 INTs reflected the same issue that plagued his college career.
Strand looks like the type of player who can stick in the NFL. He has good footwork and a clean sharp release, and he showed he can hit the easy throws in Minnesota State-Moorhead's quick-timing offense while occasionally scrambling for a TD.
Strand struggled outside of structure. When his timing reads weren’t obviously open, he often panicked into inaccurate throws that risked turnovers, and that, along with his low level of competition, led to him going undrafted.
He's intriguing as a developmental backup (similar to Rush when he entered the NFL), but the Falcons certainly don’t want Strand getting snaps in meaningful games this year. If he does have to enter the game, don’t expect much production from the Falcons weapons outside of Bijan Robinson.
