INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Cooper Rush and Jack Strand took advantage of perhaps their last opportunity to shine this season.
They’re about to be upstaged by the return of Michael Penix Jr.
Rush, who was signed last month, and Strand, an undrafted rookie, completed 16 of their first 17 throws while leading the Falcons to scores on five of their first six drives in a 34-6 rout of the Indianapolis Colts, snapping Atlanta’s eight-game preseason losing streak.
After the game, coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix, who started nine games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury, would return to team drills Monday.
“He is cleared, he is cleared for 11-on-11,” Stefanski said. “He’ll practice Monday in team periods.”
Penix’s return should be closely watched by Falcons fans after offseason acquisition Tua Tagovailoa struggled in joint practice sessions with the Colts.
A first-round draft pick in 2024, Penix has been participating in position group work and seven-on-seven drills. On Thursday, he told reporters he would be talking with his doctor “soon” to determine his next step as he continues recovering from the third torn ACL of his pro and college career.
Meanwhile, with Tagovailoa and other starters sitting Saturday after two tough joint practices with the Colts, Rush and Strand were sharp for the Falcons.
Rush was 10 of 11 for 86 yards. Strand relieved him and finished 12 of 17 for 212 yards and a touchdown.
With both teams resting most of their regulars, Atlanta outgained Indianapolis 461 yards to 164 while rushing for 164 yards. The Falcons allowed just nine first downs and the Colts finished with eight penalties for 70 yards.
“I thought the offensive staff did a terrific job of thinking about how can we get this guy the ball or how can we hand it to him this way,” Stefanski said. “I thought Jack continued to take the practice field to the game field, and I thought Cooper really made good decisions.”
Meanwhile, the Colts still have questions at backup quarterback.
Riley Leonard played the first half and went 7 of 14 with 62 yards while facing heavy pressure, though he did lead the Colts to their only points — two field goals.
Anthony Richardson, Indy’s first-round pick in 2023, played the second half and was 3 of 9 for 24 yards while taking two sacks. He started Indy’s preseason opener and threw an interception and lost a fumble in the first half.
Leonard and Richardson combined to convert 1 of 11 third-down chances.
“It’s still ongoing,” coach Shane Steichen about the competition to become Daniel Jones’ backup. “We’ve got a lot of belief and faith in both of those guys, so we’ll keep that going.”
Jones, who is coming back from a broken bone in his left leg and a torn right Achilles tendon, is one of many Colts who have not yet played in the preseason. Steichen has said he expects to play his starters in next week’s preseason finale.
Tyler Goodson, a former Colt, ran for a 49-yard touchdown to make it 10-3. After Spencer Shrader’s second field goal for Indy, Nathan Carter ran for a 1-yard touchdown and Strand connected with Cash for a 13-yard score to put Atlanta on top 24-6 at the half.
Strand scrambled for a 16-yard TD on the opening possession to the second half and the Falcons closed out the scoring with Nick Folk’s 50-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Goodson finished with six carries for 59 yards.
Indy’s kicking competition continues
Indy’s kicking competition hasn’t been settled. Shrader started strong last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Blake Grupe was signed late in the season and performed well.
Grupe appeared to have the edge before the preseason, but that gap may have narrowed Saturday. Shrader made kicks of 48 and 53 yards and Grupe missed a 38-yarder wide right.
“I think that’s ongoing, but both those guys are starting kickers in this league,” Steichen said. “So it’s going to be a big decision for us.”
Up next
Falcons: Close out the preseason Friday night at Miami.
Colts: Host Detroit next Saturday in their preseason finale.
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