Falcons declared QB Tua Tagovailoa, QB Michael Penix, DB Billy Bowman Jr., DB Malcom DeWalt IV, ILB Christian Harris, and OL Ethan Onianwa inactive for Week 1 against the Steelers.

13 September 2026

We knew earlier this week that both Penix (knee) and Tagovailoa (back) would be sidelined, and that Cooper Rush would start. EDGE Za’Darius Smith was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, but he will suit up for this one. Christian Harris, who had been a favorite to start at inside linebacker, is a healthy inactive, which means rookies Kendal Daniels or Harold Perkins Jr. will see extended run.