Mike Kadlick· Sep 17, 2026
Kadlick expects Atlanta to start Cooper Rush at quarterback in Week 2 against Carolina, with Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa still injured.
“They'll travel to Atlanta this weekend to face off against the Falcons, who'll likely start quarterback Cooper Rush as Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa continue to deal with injuries.”
published in writing · Sports Illustrated · read the original →
One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.
It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Cooper Rush · 2026 season6 calls from 5 pundits between 1 and 2. Mike Kadlick said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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- Depth Chart CallsCooper RushAtlanta FalconsSep 17, 2026
Cooper Rush to be 1st on the depth chart
“the Falcons, who'll likely start quarterback Cooper Rush as Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa continue to deal with injuries”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Steve KubitzaTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithHit · 100Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Scott KennedyRoster Spot Calls · Tua TagovailoaHit · 100Kennedy reports that Atlanta is expected to keep three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
- Tyler SullivanRoster Spot Calls · Jack StrandMiss · 0In a rookie quarterback report card following the 2026 preseason, CBS Sports projects Fernando Mendoza opening the year as Kirk Cousins' backup in Las Vegas, Luke Altmyer settling as the Lions' third quarterback behind Joshua Dobbs, and Jack Strand most likely landing on Atlanta's practice squad rather than the 53-man roster.
- Carter BahnsRoster Spot Calls · Cooper RushMiss · 0A CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield).
- Scott KennedyRoster Spot Calls · Charlie WoernerHit · 100Kennedy projects the Falcons' roster locks: Kyle Pitts Sr., Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner are locks at tight end, while Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch are all but locks at receiver. He suggests Cash Jones would claim a sixth receiver spot if Atlanta keeps six, and that Muse, Simon and Velling are bubble players.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
- Matt SeveranceDepth Chart Calls · Deshaun WatsonHit · 100The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2.