The Atlanta Falcons released their initial 53-man roster on Sunday and there were a few surprises. Starting at quarterback, the team kept both rookie Jack Strand and veteran Cooper Rush on the roster. While few expected the team to keep four quarterbacks, Atlanta likely felt it was necessary given the current state of the QB room.
A star at MSU-Moorhead, Strand worked out with the Falcons before the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the team once it concluded. With Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa dealing with injuries to begin training camp, the rookie made the most of his chances working with the first-team offense.
After an average debut against the Denver Broncos, Strand lit up the Indianapolis Colts for 212 yards and two touchdowns (one
rushing) with a passer rating of 132.5. However, Strand did not have as much success in the team's preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins.
The rookie went 6-for-7 for 44 yards and an interception on a tipped pass to running back Nathan Carter. Nonetheless, the Falcons saw the upside and wisely chose not to risk putting Strand on waivers.
The Falcons have yet to name a starter for their Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it still appears to be a toss-up between Penix and Tagovailoa.
Check out the team's first 53-man roster of the 2026 NFL season below.
Quarterbacks (4)
- Michael Penix Jr. (9)
- Tua Tagovailoa (1)
- Cooper Rush (13)
- Jack Strand (18)
Running Backs (2)
- Bijan Robinson (7)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (15)
Wide Receivers (5)
- Drake London (5)
- Jahan Dotson (4)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (14)
- Zachariah Branch (17)
- Chris Blair (19)
Tight Ends (3)
- Kyle Pitts (8)
- Austin Hooper (81)
- Charlie Woerner (89)
Offensive Linemen (9)
- Jake Matthews (70)
- Matthew Bergeron (65)
- Ryan Neuzil (64)
- Chris Lindstrom (63)
- Jawaan Taylor (71)
- Michael Jerrell (72)
- Ethan Onianwa (75)
- Kyle Hinton (68)
- Corey Levin (62)
Defensive Linemen (9)
- Gervon Dexter (TBD)
- Brandon Dorlus (54)
- Maason Smith(92)
- Samson Ebukam (52)
- Da'Shawn Hand (90)
- LaCale London (94)
- Zach Harrison (96)
- Za'Darius Smith (91)
- Cameron Thomas (99)
Linebackers (5)
- Divine Deablo (0)
- Kendal Daniels (53)
- Harold Perkins Jr. (56)
- Christian Harris (45)
- JD Bertrand (40)
Defensive Backs (13)
- A.J. Terrell (24)
- Avieon Terrell (12)
- Mike Hughes (21)
- Billy Bowman Jr. (33)
- C.J. Henderson (26)
- Mike Ford Jr. (28)
- Malcolm DeWalt (36)
- Jessie Bates III (3)
- Xavier Watts (31)
- DeMarcco Hellams (23)
- Sydney Brown (29)
- Jammie Robinson (34)
- Natrone Brooks (35)
Special Teams (3)
- LS: Liam McCullough (49)
- K: Nick Folk (6)
- P: Jake Bailey (16)
Reserve Lists
- EDGE James Pearce Jr. (suspended)
- OT Storm Norton (Reserve/PUP)
- LB DeAngelo Malone (Reserve/PUP)
- LB Jalon Walker (Reserve/Injured)
- RB Trey Sermon (Reserve/Injured)
- DB Darren Hall (Reserve/Injured)
- DT Anterio Thompson (NFI List)
- DE Keshawn Banks (Waived/Injured)
- WR Beaux Collins (Reserve/Injured) - Return Designation
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons rookie QB Jack Strand makes initial 53-man roster
