Porter’s absence is especially notable because he has been involved in a contract dispute with the Steelers throughout the offseason. The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement on a long-term extension, and Porter missed training camp while dealing with the back issue and his unresolved contract situation. Now, with Week 1 arriving, his future in Pittsburgh remains uncertain.

Schefter and Rapoport also reported that the possibility of a trade remains in play. That makes Sunday’s absence more than just an injury storyline, as Pittsburgh must now consider whether it can resolve the contract situation or potentially move one of its best young defensive players.

Will Steelers trade Joey Porter Jr.?

A trade still appears unlikely because Joey Porter Jr. has established himself as one of the Steelers’ most important cornerbacks and moving him would create a massive hole on a defense that expects to compete immediately. Pittsburgh would also have to receive significant value in return for a player who is entering his prime and could become one of the NFL’s highest-paid cornerbacks at the position.

However, the Steelers have already shown that they are willing to make difficult decisions when a contract situation becomes a potential distraction. The clearest recent example is George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys before the 2025 season. Pittsburgh ultimately chose to move on from the talented wide receiver rather than allow the situation to continue affecting the team.

That precedent is what makes Porter’s situation worth monitoring. Pickens’ departure left a hole at wide receiver despite his talent, and trading Porter would create an even more concerning void on defense. The Steelers could receive a significant draft package in return, but replacing a proven shutdown-caliber cornerback would be extremely difficult. For now, Pittsburgh appears to have a major decision ahead: find a way to keep Porter happy and under contract, or risk losing one of the most valuable pieces of its defense.

So, who will be the primary backups for this game? The Steelers ultimately decided to go with veteran Mason Rudolph for the role. For the Falcons, however, the decision was more out of necessity: undrafted free agent Jack Strand will serve as their primary alternative.

Rodgers returned to the Steel City for another season, hoping to lead the Steelers to another Super Bowl. Rush, meanwhile, will take on the responsibility of leading Atlanta in its season opener and trying to pull off the upset. Which of these two quarterbacks will ultimately lead his team to its first win of the season?

The rest of the QBs on the Steelers and Falcons

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the luxury of having a crowded QB room this season, featuring a mix of experience and youth. Behind Rodgers and Rudolph on the depth chart are Will Howard, entering his second professional season, and recently drafted quarterback Drew Allar.

The situation in Atlanta is completely different, as the Falcons were forced to change their plans at the last minute. Injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., the two main candidates competing for the QB1 role throughout the season, have forced Stefanski to rely on Rush and Strand for the season opener.

Rodgers’ last Week 1

As announced several weeks ago, this will be Aaron Rodgers’ final season as a professional football player. But when was the last time A-Rod started a season opener as a quarterback?

On September 8, 2008, Rodgers took over as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback following Brett Favre’s departure, making his debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers won that game 24-19, with Rodgers completing 18 of 26 passes for 178 yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.

During their most recent practice, Tua suffered an oblique injury, which ruled him out for the Falcons’ season opener. Penix Jr., who is competing for a bigger QB1 role, is still recovering from a knee injury and will ultimately be unavailable as well.

That puts the spotlight on the least expected protagonist. Who are we talking about? Cooper Rush will be the one calling the shots for a team looking to make its way back into the NFC South spotlight.

When will Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. return to the field?

Both quarterbacks find themselves in an unusual situation, with neither of them available for their team’s season opener. Still, there is optimism within the Falcons’ facilities that both Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. could be available for Week 2.

Kevin Stefanski’s team will play its second game of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 20, in a key divisional matchup for both teams.

An unexpected backup for the Falcons’ season opener

The injuries immediately forced the Falcons’ coaching staff to reshuffle the depth chart and quickly designate an emergency backup for Cooper Rush. As a result, undrafted free agent Jack Strand will be on the sideline and available as the primary alternative should he be needed.

Instead, an injury suffered during practice has forced Tagovailoa to watch the season opener from the sideline. The Falcons confirmed that the veteran quarterback will be inactive against Pittsburgh after dealing with an oblique injury that emerged during one of the final practices before the game.

The development is particularly frustrating for Atlanta because Tagovailoa had won the starting job as Michael Penix Jr is still injured. Now, neither of the team’s top two quarterbacks will be available against the Steelers, forcing Atlanta to turn to a veteran backup at the last possible moment.

Who is starting QB for Falcons vs Steelers?

Cooper Rush will be the starting quarterback for the Falcons against the Steelers, moving into the spotlight after spending the week preparing as Tagovailoa’s backup. The veteran took first-team reps after Tua’s injury and now faces the challenge of leading Atlanta on the road in the opening game of the season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has expressed confidence in Rush’s preparation and ability to step in on short notice.

Why isn’t Michael Penix Jr. available to play for Falcons?

Rush’s promotion was made necessary not only by Tagovailoa’s injury but also by Michael Penix’s continued absence. The Falcons’ former starter remains unavailable as he works his way back from the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season. Although Penix participated fully in practice this week, Atlanta has already determined that he is not ready to play in the opener.

That leaves Rush as Atlanta’s only available experienced option to start against Pittsburgh. The situation represents a dramatic change from the plan announced Monday, when Tagovailoa was supposed to begin his Falcons career as the team’s QB1. Instead, an oblique injury has forced Atlanta to change course just days before kickoff, while Tagovailoa will have to wait for his Falcons debut.

Why isn’t Tua Tagovailoa playing for Falcons vs Steelers?

Tagovailoa will miss the game because of an oblique injury suffered during practice shortly before the season opener. The issue became apparent when he appeared to favor his back during Thursday’s session, briefly going down after throwing a pass before getting back to his feet. He was subsequently listed as a limited participant and did not practice Friday.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for Tagovailoa. After being released by the Dolphins and signing with Atlanta, he had been given a chance to reset his career and prove that he could still be a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL. His Week 1 opportunity was supposed to be the first step in that process, but the oblique problem has delayed his debut.

For the Falcons, the immediate priority is getting through Pittsburgh with Rush under center. Atlanta will now hope Tagovailoa can recover quickly and return to the lineup, while Penix continues his rehabilitation. What was expected to be the start of the Tua comeback story has instead become one of the strangest quarterback situations of Week 1, with Atlanta losing both of its top options before the season opener even begins.

“During the open media portion of practice, Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa touched his back and sat down on the grass briefly during individual drills Thursday. It was unclear exactly what had happened. He didn’t seem to throw again after,” ESPN‘s Falcons beat reporter Marc Raimondi stated.

“Not clear if related yet but Tua had back issues that cost him practice time earlier in summer,” NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported as well. It’s clearly something to keep an eye on going into Week 1’s matchup between the Falcons and Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Most fans across the NFL would guess that, with Tagovailoa out, head coach Kevin Stefanski could resort to the other left-handed QB on the depth chart, Michael Penix Jr. However, the product out of Washington has been ruled inactive for Week 1 with a knee injury.

Falcons QB depth chart vs Steelers

That leaves the Falcons with one viable option remaining: Cooper Rush. In fact, the 32-year-old right-handed quarterback took over in practice and could be trending toward a start on Sunday against Pittsburgh.

“Cooper Rush said he took all the reps with the [first team on Thursday],” Raimondi reported on his X account. Although the Falcons are one of few teams to have four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, they could be rolling into Week 1 with only half of them active, with both being their third- and fourth-stringers.

In addition to Rush, Atlanta’s QB depth chart includes Jack Strand, an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). Set to face one of the most intimidating defenses in the NFL in a hostile environment, the situation is far from ideal for the Falcons, especially for Stefanski as he makes his head-coaching debut with the organization.

Falcons’ gameplan changes on the fly

It was no secret, even when Tagovailoa was showing no signs of discomfort, but it’s even less of a secret now: The Falcons will be relying on Bijan Robinson to carry their offense and establish the running game. Only then, can the offense get comfortable enough to connect with Drake London, Jahan Dotson, Kyle Pitts, and company. Bijan must brace for a very long afternoon on the banks of the three rivers—the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela—in Pittsburgh.

While the Falcons’ gameplan would change the most if Tagovailoa is ruled out for Sunday, the Steelers will also have to adapt. The defense had been game-planning for Tagovailoa for months, ever since the schedule was released back in May.

“Obviously playing against a lefty QB, me being on the right side, mostly if I go inside too early, the QB could see me. But sometimes when we’re playing a right-handed QB, I’m able to take those chances more going inside with different rushes,” Steelers LB Alex Highsmith said after learning of Tua’s setback, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Steelers could face injury-riddled Falcons QB room

Clearly, the Steelers were expecting to face a left-handed quarterback with question marks around his arm strength, mobility in the pocket, and ability to stay healthy. There are no doubts on how accurate Tua can be when he has a clean pocket, how fast he can get rid of the football, and fit the pigskin in tight windows, though.

Pittsburgh liked its chances against Tagovailoa, but facing Rush might be a bigger blessing. If Rush does indeed start, Atlanta’s playbook might be limited and in the hands of a QB with only 52 pass attempts last season in the NFL.

Tagovailoa’s last visit to Pittsburgh

Tagovailoa’s last game in The Burgh is far from a fond memory. Playing on Monday Night Football on Dec. 15, 2025, Tua’s Miami Dolphins lost to the Steelers by a score of 28-15. Tagovailoa finished his visit to Steel City with 22 completions for 253 yards, two touchdown passes, and an interception on an underthrown pass.

Tagovailoa was sacked four times and ended up posting a 12.2 QBR. Tua left yet another sorry image in a primetime, late-season, hostile-environment, cold-weather game. The Phins would fall to 6-8, and the $212.4 million once-thought-to-be franchise quarterback would be benched for the remainder of the season.

That game against the Steelers was his last as a Dolphin. He may have the chance to right his wrongs in his Falcons debut at the same nightmare alley, but injuries are threatening to sideline him. It’s a never-ending story for Tagovailoa, as true in The City in a Forest as it was in Magic City.

Tagovailoa took part in the Falcons’ preseason finale against the Dolphins. He completed seven out of eight passes for 95 yards, splitting reps with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. Stefanski, preparing for his first year as the Falcons’ coach, reflected on Tagovailoa’s performance after the game.

“I thought Tua did a nice job operating, obviously moving the football for a couple drives. Plenty to clean up. An avoidable center-to-quarterback exchange. We have to clean that up. And we will. I thought by and large, [he] operated,” Stefanski said, per reporter Marc Raimondi.

Tua’s performance and the QB decision

Tagovailoa has been going down to the wire with Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons’ starting job. With the preseason over, it is up to Kevin Stefanski to make the important decision.

The Falcons ended the preseason with a 2-1 record, coming out of the finale with a 17-12 win over the Dolphins. Atlanta did all of its damage in the first half, scoring all 17 points as the team prevented Miami from getting a touchdown at any point in the contest.

Brian Robinson Jr. led the rushing attack with five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts Sr. caught three passes for 57 yards, and Jack Velling made four receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Tagovailoa‘s night ended in the second quarter after he completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards. Quarterback Cooper Rush replaced him at quarterback for the Falcons. The game marked a memorable return for Tagovailoa to Miami while establishing the start of his tenure in Atlanta.

How to watch Dolphins vs Falcons in the USA

The game will be available through Fubo and NFL+, giving viewers two streaming options to follow the preseason finale.

Can I watch Dolphins vs Falcons for free?

Fubo is the option to check for a 5-day free trial before watching Dolphins vs. Falcons. The platform promotes free trials for eligible new subscribers, although the length and availability can depend on the specific plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Falcons are treating this preseason finale differently from their first two games. Atlanta has confirmed that its starters will play against Miami, giving the coaching staff one last live evaluation before roster cuts.

The game comes just days after Michael Penix Jr. returned to full-team work, and he has been splitting first-team reps with Tua Tagovailoa. That makes the quarterback situation the clearest storyline heading into Friday night.

Penix’s return is especially significant because the third-year quarterback was expected to be Atlanta’s starter before suffering a season-ending ACL injury last November. Now fully cleared, he is competing with Tagovailoa for the job, while Cooper Rush and Jack Strand have handled most of the preseason snaps so far.

With the Falcons set to make roster decisions after this game, the finale could give the coaching staff valuable information about the quarterback hierarchy and several other position battles.

For Miami, the emphasis is also on the players trying to secure their place on the roster. The Dolphins enter the final preseason game with Malik Willis listed at quarterback, while players such as rookie wide receiver Chris Bell remain part of the evaluation process.

Miami’s current roster includes Bell, who was selected from Louisville, along with a number of young players competing for roles before the regular season begins.

What time is the Dolphins vs Falcons match?

The Dolphins vs. Falcons game kicks off Friday, August 28, at 7:00 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

For Atlanta, the matchup carries an extra layer of intrigue because Tua Tagovailoa will face his former team while Michael Penix Jr. continues his return from a torn ACL. He is set to start, while Penix has been ruled out of the preseason finale.

Miami enters the game with Malik Willis established as its projected Week 1 starter, while Quinn Ewers and the rest of the quarterback room continue to compete for roles behind him.

Which quarterbacks will play for the Dolphins and Falcons?

Tua Tagovailoa is set to start for the Atlanta Falcons, while the Miami Dolphins are expected to use Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller at quarterback in the preseason finale.

Atlanta will not play Michael Penix Jr., who is still working his way back from a torn ACL. Tagovailoa’s appearance carries plenty of intrigue as he returns to face the Dolphins, the team that released him during the offseason.

The Falcons plan to give him the opening snaps before turning to veteran Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand. Penix, meanwhile, has returned to 11-on-11 work but said playing Friday would be too soon after only three practices in that setting.

Miami’s quarterback room has a different challenge heading into the final preseason game. Willis remains the team’s projected starter, while Ewers is competing for the primary backup role after returning from a groin injury.Miller is also expected to see work, with the Dolphins still evaluating their depth before the 53-man roster deadline.

“Everything we do around this building is competing,” Stefanski said in his press conference. “I know it’s easy to say, ‘position battles,’ and those types of things, but we’re constantly competing. That’s not the focus for our guys. Our guys are pushing each other by showing up and putting in the work.”

The coach is also encouraged by Penix Jr.’s progress during the preseason. “[T]he new part for Mike is just being in there in with a full offensive line, a full defensive line, but he’s been in walkthrough huddles, he’s been in 7-on-7, he’s obviously gone through individuals. So, this is a good — now that Mike is cleared — it’s good that he can start that process of getting back to 11-on-11.”

More options in the Falcons’ QB room

During the Falcons’ latest 34-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, Jack Strand was one of the biggest standouts. Despite his strong performance, Stefanski said his role will ultimately be determined between the backup and third-string positions depending on the circumstances.

“At this point, Jack’s going to work with the twos and threes, but very excited about his development,” Stefanski said. “But it goes back to the earlier point of like all of our young players, we have a plan to bring them along and develop them. And the player development is a huge part of what we do, whether you’re talking about quarterback position, the linebacker position, nose tackle, I don’t care. Player development is important to us and being intentional about how we bring players along is important to us.”

Another test for Atlanta

Like most NFL teams, the Atlanta Falcons have three games on their preseason schedule. They opened with a 27-7 home loss to the Denver Broncos before bouncing back on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.

Atlanta’s third and final preseason test will interestingly take Tua Tagovailoa back to South Florida. On Friday, August 28, Kevin Stefanski’s team will face the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in the final preseason game for both teams.

A tough start to the season for the Falcons

Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa, whoever ends up being the starter for the Falcons this season, knows it won’t be easy. High-risk road trips and key divisional matchups await this team during the opening stretch of the campaign.

• at Pittsburgh Steelers, September 13 – Week 1
• vs Carolina Panthers, September 20 – Week 2
• at Green Bay Packers, September 24 – Week 3
• at New Orleans Saints, October 5 – Week 4
• vs Baltimore Ravens, October 11 – Week 5

How to watch Colts vs Falcons in the USA

The Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons preseason game will be available in the U.S. exclusively through Fubo and NFL+.

Can I watch Colts vs Falcons for free?

Eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Colts vs. Falcons for free with the 5-day free trial. The platform’s current listing for the matchup shows the game live from Lucas Oil Stadium and includes a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, so Saturday’s result will not affect the regular-season standings. Instead, the game is another important evaluation opportunity as both teams work through roster battles and prepare for the regular season.

The matchup comes after two days of joint practices in Indianapolis, giving both coaching staffs an additional chance to evaluate their players in competitive situations before the game.

The quarterback situation is one of the main storylines. For Indianapolis, Riley Leonard is expected to start and play the first half, with Anthony Richardson taking over afterward as the Colts continue to evaluate their QB2 options.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s quarterback picture remains worth watching, particularly with Michael Penix Jr. still limited and Tua Tagovailoa working with the first team during the joint practices.

The joint practices also produced some important developments ahead of Saturday’s game. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones completed all 15 of his passes during Wednesday’s session, while cornerback Justin Walley returned an interception of Tagovailoa for a touchdown. Those performances add another layer to a preseason matchup focused more on individual evaluations than the final score.

What time is the Colts vs Falcons match?

The Colts vs. Falcons game kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 1:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 1:00 PM ET
• Central Time: 12:00 PM CT
• Mountain Time: 11:00 AM MT
• Pacific Time: 10:00 AM PT

Atlanta’s offense struggled to generate much production during Tagovailoa’s brief time on the field. “There’s plenty to clean up,” Stefanski said, according to The Associated Press. “I thought it was great being in our building, for a lot of us being in here for the first time.”

Tagovailoa played only nine snaps, completing three of five passes for 22 yards. Atlanta Falcons failed to score during either of his two possessions, with both drives ending in punts. Stefanski acknowledged that the offense “didn’t move the ball well” but stopped short of drawing any major conclusions about Tagovailoa based on such limited action. “It’s hard to give a grade on that sample size,” Stefanski said.

What Stefanski needs to fix with Tua

Stefanski and Atlanta Falcons face a tough task this offseason as they must make the most of their time to improve in areas where they failed, build chemistry, and optimize Tagovailoa’s performance.

The preseason represents an important adjustment period for Tagovailoa after spending the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins. Atlanta signed the veteran quarterback following his release from Miami this offseason, giving him an opportunity for a fresh start with Stefanski and Atlanta Falcons.

Stefanski knows all too well about having a circus in the quarterback room, and having another in Atlanta is simply not ideal. That is why, after his 2026 preseason debut, Tagovailoa cannot be the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Unless Penix is simply not healthy, there is no way Stefanski starts his new job on the right foot by playing Tagovailoa. Some of the same problems that forced Miami to release him are starting to affect him in Atlanta.

Falcons waiting on Penix

There are still two more preseason games left for Tagovailoa to prove he should remain in the QB1 race. The more he struggles, the more Atlanta Falcons have reason to turn to Penix. It also proves why the Falcons’ quarterback room was always in shambles with Penix and Tagovailoa to choose from. Only time will tell us how this situation unfolds.