Sports at a glance: Falcons tap Rush to start
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ATLANTA -- Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski says Cooper Rush will make his second straight start at quarterback in Sunday's home opener against NFC South rival Carolina. Rush threw two interceptions in last week's 20-13 opening loss at Pittsburgh.
Rookie Jack Strand will be Rush's backup. Michael Penix Jr. also was inactive against the Steelers as he continues his recovery from a left knee injury which ended his 2025 season.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
■ Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday with Kyler Murray still in the concussion protocol and ruled out of the game at Chicago. Murray was a limited participant in practice all week and ran out of time to make more more progress after taking an illegal hit to the head in the season opener against Green Bay.
■ Houston receiver Nico Collins will miss Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a hamstring injury. Collins was injured during Wednesday's practice and did not participate in practice Thursday or Friday.
■ Aaron Donald expects to play for the Los Angeles Rams in their home opener against the New York Giants on Monday night. Donald, a three-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Pro defensive lineman, has been out of football for the previous two seasons but ended his retirement in August.
Shelton loses at Davis Cup
U.S. Open finalist Ben Shelton has struggled to dominate with his serve and has been beaten 6-4, 6-4 by 24th-ranked Jiri Lehecka as the Czech Republic drew level 1-1 with the United States in the last qualifying round for the Davis Cup Final 8. Lehecka broke Shelton's serve early in each set on the indoor hard court at Prague's O2 Arena.
Learner Tien had beaten Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-4 in his Davis Cup debut to give the 32-time champion Americans a 1-0 lead earlier. South Korea moved within one victory of becoming the first Asian nation to reach the Final 8 after taking a 2-0 lead over India.
College bill inches ahead
WASHINGTON -- Congress has struggled to pass major legislation this year, putting off debates on spending, defense, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. But in its final weeks in session as the midterm elections approach, the Senate can agree on one thing -- addressing college sports.
The Senate voted twice this week to move forward on legislation to overhaul the rules and financing around the nation's college sports. It's an effort to put guardrails around skyrocketing spending, prevent constant legal battles and restore order to what the bill's supporters say is chaos in athletic programs. More than 70 senators are already backing the bill, and final votes could come as soon as next week.
Gerard leads at Wentworth
VIRGINIA WATER, England -- Ryan Gerard has finished eagle-birdie to shoot a 7-under 65 and take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the BMW PGA Championship. The No. 21-ranked Gerard moved to 12-under for the week at the flagship event on the European tour. He is showing the kind of form that would serve the U.S. team well at the upcoming Presidents Cup if he'd have been picked. Adam Scott and Filippo Cello were tied for second place and Rory McIlroy was tied for sixth.