​Cooper Rush is expected to get the starting nod again under center for the Atlanta Falcons this week versus the Carolina Panthers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday.Mike Garafolo, also of NFL Network, noted that Michael Penix Jr. is “getting closer” but is “not there yet” in his return to game action after recovering from a partially torn ACL that required season-ending surgery last year.Tua Tagovailoa remains sidelined by the oblique issue that he sustained during practice in the lead-up to a season opener he was supposed to start. Instead, Rush was QB1 for that road game, which Atlanta dropped to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13.Michael Penix Jr. is getting closer. Not there yet. Cooper Rush again for the #Falcons. https://t.co/qna1NYtpuC— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 18, 2026This story is being updated.