EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- The Falcons were down to their fourth-string quarterback Sunday, and it remains unclear who will be behind center when they get back on the field in four days.Cooper Rush threw his second interception with 7:13 left in the third quarter of an eventual 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. He was replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand, whose last regular-season pass came for Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead last season. Strand threw a pick-six on his first career passing attempt.Fans booed Rush throughout the game and chanted "We want Strand" before the rookie came onto the field to a huge ovation.Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski would not say who would be the team's starter in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers on "Thursday Night Football."Tua Tagovailoa was given the starting job out of training camp but has been sidelined with an oblique injury suffered in practice in Week 1. He was doubtful entering Sunday and then listed as inactive.Michael Penix Jr. still is working his way back from left ACL surgery in November. Penix was cleared by doctors for full practices in late August but has said he is not quite ready yet for live game action. ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Penix could play Thursday night and that returning in Week 3 had been the plan."To be fair, I don't think now's the time to know what the plan is [for next] week," Stefanski said. "I'm really focused on this week. Like I've told you guys all along and throughout, Mike is continuing to progress. So, we'll work through that this week."Rush, who has also been dealing with back spasms, was 10 of 17 passing for 86 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, in addition to a lost fumble on the first series. His first interceptions came on the second series. It was the Falcons' first time with back-to-back turnovers on their first two opening drives in a game since 2007, per ESPN Research.Strand was 8 of 15 for 59 yards with no touchdowns and the interception. He was the first quarterback to throw a pick-six in his first career pass attempt since Sam Darnold in 2018 -- and the first Falcons QB to do it since Brett Favre in 1991.The Falcons have scored just 16 points this season, which is the third-fewest total through two games in franchise history and their lowest since 2007. Atlanta's seven turnovers are its most through two games since 1999 (also seven).
