NFL Player News

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Rush will serve as the top backup to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the Falcons' Week 1 game against the Steelers, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

Though the decision on the Falcons' Week 1 starter came down to Michael Penix (knee) and Tagovailoa, Penix will ultimately be inactive for the season opener rather than serving as the No. 2 quarterback. Penix took part in just six 11-on-11 practices during training camp while completing his recovery from the ACL surgery he underwent last November, so the Falcons will wait for him to get more reps in before making him available for his 2026 debut, either as a replacement in the starting lineup for Tagovailoa or as Tagovailoa's top backup. With Penix out of the mix for at least the first game, Atlanta will go with the more seasoned Rush over undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the No. 2 option behind Tagovailoa.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Penix (knee) will be inactive for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.

While addressing the media shortly after the Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starter Monday, Stefanski noted that Penix had taken part in only six 11-on-11 practices during training camp, so the third-year quarterback will need some more time to get back to full speed following last November's ACL tear before making his 2026 debut, per Raimondi. The Falcons were pleased enough with Penix's progress to wait until less than a week before the opener to name a starter, which suggests that he'll likely get a chance to supplant Tagovailoa atop the depth chart at some point this season. While Penix is in street clothes for Week 1, Cooper Rush will step in as Tagovailoa's backup, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand will serve as the No. 3 quarterback.

Penix (knee) won't start the season opener Sunday in Pittsburgh, after the Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their top quarterback heading into Week 1, Will McFadden and Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.

Though Penix is expected to receive the opportunity to start at some point in 2026, he'll have to wait at least one more week before getting his chance while he continues to work his way back from the torn ACL he sustained last November. Penix didn't play in the preseason and wasn't cleared to take part in 11-on-11 drills until Aug. 22, so he'll need to get some full practices under his belt before the Falcons consider moving him into the starting role over Tagovailoa, who completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 117 yards in two exhibition contests but fumbled twice and generally struggled to push the ball downfield during the preseason and training camp. The Falcons kept four quarterbacks on their roster following cut-down day, so Cooper Rush and Jack Strand will be available as backup options if Penix isn't ready to serve as Tagovailoa's understudy in the season opener.

Evans (adductor) was spotted on the field in full uniform during the open portion of Monday's practice in Melbourne, Australia, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Wagoner notes that linebacker Nick Bosa (knee) and running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) were the only 49ers players who didn't appear to be mixing into team drills during the open portion of practice, so Evans appears likely to have been at least a limited participant in Monday's session. The 49ers will release their first injury report of the season later Monday, when the extent of Evans' practice participation will be revealed. Evans had his practice activity managed for much of training camp while he contended with a minor quadriceps strain and, more recently, an adductor injury.

The Falcons will have Tagovailoa start at quarterback in Sunday's season opener against the Steelers, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.

The Falcons were deciding between Tagovailoa and Michael Penix (knee) for the Week 1 starting assignment, and with the latter still getting back up to full speed as he works his way back from a torn ACL, Tagovailoa will get the nod. Tagovailoa likely won't have much leash as a starter, coming off a poor preseason in which he completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 117 yards while fumbling twice (losing one).

Bosa (knee) didn't participate in drills during the early portion of Monday's practice in Melbourne, Australia that was open to the media, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

While Bosa making the trip to Australia was considered encouraging in his comeback attempt from last season's ACL injury, he had been working off to the side in recent practices before the Niners left for Australia. He'll likely need to upgrade to full participation in practice by Wednesday to have a realistic chance at suiting up in Thursday's season opener versus the Rams.

McCaffrey (undisclosed) wasn't participating in drills in the early portion of the 49ers' practice early Monday in Australia, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Though McCaffrey wasn't on the field for the open portion of practice, it's possible that he fit in some work behind the scenes. San Francisco will post its first injury report of 2026 later Monday, when the extent of McCaffrey's practice participation will be revealed as the 49ers gear up for their season opener against the Rams on Thursday.

Runyan and the Giants reached an agreement Sunday on a two-year, $22 million extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Runyan's deal includes $12.5 million in guaranteed money. The starting left guard is all set to defend Jaxson Dart through the 2028 NFL season.

Neal (quadriceps) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Neal had been dealing with a quadriceps injury but should be all set to go for Wednesday's Week 1 matchup with the Patriots. The cornerback is set to be one of the primary depth options behind Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, but Neal may be called upon to play some safety since Ty Okada's (hamstring) game-day status is in question.

Okada (hamstring) did not participate in Sunday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Okada's absence due to injury does not bode well for the strong safety's chances to suit up in Wednesday's NFL opener against the Patriots. With Bud Clark on IR, D'Anthony Bell may get an elevation to the active roster from the practice squad to start or support one of the other defensive backs for Week 1.