Training camp just opened and the Atlanta Falcons are already dealing with a quarterback injury crisis. Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are both unable to participate in team drills, thrusting undrafted free agent Jack Strand into first-team duties, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Daniel Flick.
It's about as disastrous of a start as you could get for first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. Both Tagovailoa and Penix have lengthy injury histories, so their status being cloudy as the season begins does not signal hope for the future.
The Falcons were quick to add reinforcements, however. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush is signing with Atlanta. The veteran made 14 starts over seven seasons with Dallas before spending last
year as Lamar Jackson's backup on the Baltimore Ravens.
Rush, 32, is 9-7 as a starter. For his career, he's thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
When will Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. return?
Tagovailoa is expected back next week as he's dealing with a tight back, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Penix's timeline is murkier, as he's still working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered last November. While Penix is unable to participate in 11-on-11 drills, he's been cleared for individual passing drills and 7-on-7 work.
Projected Falcons QB depth chart after Cooper Rush signing
QB1: Tua Tagovailoa
QB2: Michael Penix Jr.
QB3: Cooper Rush
QB4: Jack Strand
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Falcons sign former Cowboys starter amid quarterback injury debacle
