Atlanta’s quarterback crisis deepened on Sunday as Cooper Rush was benched and rookie Jack Strand threw a pick-six with his first pass in a 34-3 defeat by the Carolina Panthers.
Rush lost a fumble on the opening play from scrimmage before throwing two interceptions, leaving the Falcons trailing 27-3 in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards before coach Kevin Stefanski turned to Strand.
The undrafted rookie was greeted by a loud ovation from supporters who had been calling for a change. Their hopes lasted one play, however, as his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
Strand finished with 59 yards from 15 attempts, along with an interception and a lost fumble. Much of his time came against Carolina’s second-string defence after the Panthers had established a commanding lead.
The result marked another fruitless outing for an Atlanta offence that has failed to reach the red zone in successive games. Rush had also battled back spasms in the Falcons’ opening-week defeat by Pittsburgh, although he said he was healthier for Sunday’s game.
“Tough start,” Rush said after fumbling on the first play. “Want that one back, stay on the ball.”
Stefanski resisted calls to blame either quarterback and said the responsibility lay with the whole team.
“I’m disappointed in our performance as a football team,” he said. “That’s all of us. It’s not just one position.”
Atlanta’s options could change before Thursday night’s visit to Green Bay. Michael Penix Jr watched from the sideline while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, while Tua Tagovailoa was absent with an oblique injury.
Penix split practice repetitions with Rush last week and is understood to be progressing, but Stefanski gave no indication whether he would be cleared to return against the Packers.
“Now’s not the time to know what the plan is this exact week,” Stefanski said. “Mike is continuing to progress, so we’ll work through that this week.”
