Tua Tagovailoa
Quarterback #1
Tua Tagovailoa News
Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out for Sunday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers after popping up on Thursday's injury report with an oblique injury, as reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal with the Falcons after being released by the Dolphins. Following a rocky training camp and preseason that began with back spasms, he was recently named the Week 1 starter, as 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continues to work his way back from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season. Penix, who is still listed as the fourth quarterback on the team's unofficial depth chart, has been a full practice participant to begin the week, so there is a chance he could now step into the Week 1 starting role. If not, the Falcons will begin the year with either Cooper Rush or undrafted rookie Jack Strand under center. A report from The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad (citing Pro Football Talk) suggests that there is a "strong possibility" that Tagovailoa is released if/when he is replaced as the starting QB. Now that more injury issues have popped up for the former first-rounder, he might not even end up taking a single snap in a regular-season game for Atlanta.
Sep 11, 2026 9:37 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Day-to-Day With Oblique Strain
Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), who was listed as limited in Thursday's practice, suffered an oblique strain that is considered day-to-day, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Tagovailoa's status for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers is to be determined. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller went to the ground during individual drills on Thursday and was grabbing at his lower back. He did not return and was replaced by Cooper Rush with the first-team offense. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has already been ruled out as he continues to recover from a partially torn ACL in his knee from late last year. If Tua is ruled out on Friday, Rush will be the one starting under center for the Falcons on Sunday, with undrafted rookie Jack Strand backing him up. Fantasy managers in deep two-QB superflex leagues who were planning on starting Tagovailoa this weekend against Pittsburgh need to go in another direction. We would be surprised if Tagovailoa is cleared to start in just a few days.
Sep 10, 2026 2:52 PM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Dealing With Oblique Injury
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) was added to the injury report on Thursday with an oblique injury, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Tagovailoa was listed as limited on Thursday's report. During the open period of Thursday's practice, Tagovailoa was seen touching his back before sitting down on the field during individual drills. The Falcons already announced that Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will not be active for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, so if Tagovailoa cannot play, it will likely be Cooper Rush making the start under center for the Falcons in the season opener. Tagovailoa joined the Falcons this offseason hoping for a new start after the Dolphins cut him after a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he was benched late in the year. Tua also dealt with back spasms early in training camp, so it seems more unlikely that he will be able to recover in just a couple of days and start on Sunday. This new injury could threaten Tagovailoa's chances of ever starting a game for the Falcons in 2026.
Sep 10, 2026 12:20 PM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Up in the Air for Week 1 With Back Injury
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) went down in Thursday's practice with what looked like lower-back pain, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Falcons are prepping to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 with a QB3 right now. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is not cleared yet after suffering a partial tear of his ACL, so if Tua cannot go on Sunday, it could be Cooper Rush who gets the nod under center. ESPN's Marc Raimondi reports that Rush said he took all of the reps with the first-team offense on Thursday after Tagovailoa tweaked his back. If not for Penix not being quite ready to return, Tagovailoa most likely would have lost the QB competition during training camp in his first year outside of Miami. Already with a concerning history of head injuries, durability is not Tua's strong suit, and it now looks like he will not be able to make his Falcons debut in Week 1. The Falcons' plan is to let Penix take over the starting gig in Atlanta when he is ready, so Tagovailoa's fantasy value in deep two-QB leagues will be fleeting. If Tagovailoa is ruled out this weekend, Jack Strand would be in line to serve as Rush's backup.
Sep 10, 2026 12:04 PM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Discomfort During Throwing Drills on Thursday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appeared to suffer discomfort during individual throwing drills during Thursday's practice and briefly went to the ground, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. It is unclear exactly what Tagovailoa is dealing with or if it will prevent him from making the start in Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he did miss the first week of training camp due to lower-back spasms. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still recovering from a partially torn ACL late last season and will not be ready for the 2026 season opener, which is why Tagovailoa was named as the starter to open the year. If Tagovailoa's injury keeps him from playing this weekend, either Cooper Rush or Jack Strand could be forced into action against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Tagovailoa only has short-term, deep-league appeal in two-QB formats as the starter to begin the season, but the full expectation is that Penix will take over once he is cleared to come back from his knee injury. If active in Week 1, Tagovailoa will merely be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in deep superflex leagues.
Sep 10, 2026 10:07 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Could Be on a Short Leash if Named Starter
NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport expects Tua Tagovailoa to be on "a little bit of a short leash" if he is named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Tagovailoa is competing with Michael Penix Jr. for the QB1 role in Atlanta. Penix is recovering from a partial ACL tear that he suffered in November 2025, which required surgery. Penix was fully cleared to practice in late August, but his timeline for returning to game action remains unknown. Tagovailoa struggled in the preseason, and his confidence seems to be waning. Rapoport noted that Penix would likely be the starter if he were healthy, but that Atlanta is left in "limbo" in terms of what to do at the quarterback position right now. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year contract worth $1.215 million in March. Tagovailoa has a current Yahoo ADP of 201 and is best left on the waiver wire in all standard leagues as things currently stand.
Sep 5, 2026 11:25 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa May Have Shown Just Enough When Most Needed
Starting against his former team, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had his ups and downs in the team's final outing of the preseason, a 17-12 win over the Miami Dolphins. He looked sharp on an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to open the night, and he finished the game with 95 passing yards and only one incompletion on eight attempts, but he also lost a fumble on an under-center snap on the second drive of the game, his second fumble in as many preseason games. Tagovailoa has struggled with consistency throughout his first training camp with the Falcons, unable to take advantage of the opportunity provided by Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) prolonged absence. Penix was recently cleared to participate in team drills, and while he did not suit up for the team's final preseason contest, he believes he will be ready for Atlanta's Week 1 matchup with the Steelers. Tagovailoa may have done just enough on Friday night to hold the starting job heading into the regular season, but with Penix in the third year of his rookie deal, the Falcons will soon be faced with a decision on his fifth-year option, all but ensuring he will at some point assume starting duties. Tagovailoa is RotoBaller's QB32 for 2026 and not a player who needs to be drafted.
Aug 29, 2026 6:49 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa to Start Friday Against Former Team
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start Friday night's preseason finale against his former team, the Miami Dolphins, according to Ari Meirov. Tagovailoa spent six seasons in Miami before the Dolphins released him in March, and he landed with Atlanta shortly afterward. His Falcons debut didn't offer much, as he completed three of five passes for 22 yards against Denver. He didn't play in Atlanta's second preseason game. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. has now been cleared for full-team work and rotated with Tagovailoa during first-team periods Monday. Atlanta still hasn't named its Week 1 starter. Tagovailoa is coming off a 2025 season in which he threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 starts. Friday gives the 28-year-old one more preseason opportunity, this time in a familiar building. The start itself doesn't settle Atlanta's quarterback situation, especially with Penix finally back in the mix.
Aug 26, 2026 9:43 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa's Play Making it "Impossible" to Earn QB Job
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the original goal for the Atlanta Falcons this summer was to have Tua Tagovailoa open the 2026 regular season as the starting quarterback while Michael Penix Jr. (knee) continued to rehab from a torn ACL he suffered last year. Rapoport adds that Tagovailoa's play during training camp and the preseason has made that plan "impossible," and it is now Penix's "job for the taking." Penix returned to team drills for the first time in camp on Monday, and if he plays up to his capabilities, it could create a best-case scenario for the organization that drafted the 26-year-old with the eighth overall pick out of the University of Washington in 2024. Time will tell if Penix can unseat Tua for the Week 1 starting job, but the previous expectation that Tagovailoa would open the year as the Falcons' starter is now out the window. After throwing for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine starts last year, Penix's long- and short-term fantasy value is slowly back on the rise. With that said, he could be on a very short leash if he wins the starting job, and his lengthy injury history makes him a volatile keeper asset.
Aug 25, 2026 10:22 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Plays Two Series, Eyes TE Often in Preseason Opener
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earned the start in Friday's 27-7 preseason home loss to the Broncos, playing two series in the first quarter before giving way to backup QB Cooper Rush. Tagovailoa was 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards, with four of his five passes being directed to tight end Kyle Pitts, and he was credited with one rush for no gain after the left-handed signal caller fumbled a snap but was able to recover the ball. It was reported on Saturday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the former first-round draft pick has the "inside track " for the starting job in Atlanta while Michael Penix Jr. (knee) finishes up rehabbing his knee, and this performance likely does nothing to change that, with his next chance to secure the gig coming next Saturday against the Colts in a preseason contest on the road. Assuming he does secure it, it does little for his fantasy prospects, with the Alabama product currently sitting at No. 30 in RotoBaller's latest QB rankings.
Aug 15, 2026 7:15 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa has "Inside Track" on Starting QB Job
The Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback ahead of Friday night's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that Tua Tagovailoa has an "inside track" on the starting gig. Tagovailoa is the obvious favorite to eventually be named the Falcons' Week 1 starter under center, primarily because Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has yet to be cleared for team drills in training camp after suffering a partially torn ACL in his knee in Week 11 of last year. As long as Tagovailoa stays healthy through the preseason and doesn't totally flop, he should enter his first year in Atlanta as the starter over the rehabbing Penix. However, with that said, that won't suddenly make him a super popular QB2 target in superflex leagues, as there's still plenty of injury risk with the former first-rounder, and the Falcons will likely have a short leash on him if he struggles. Head coach Kevin Stefanski may wait until after the preseason and for Penix to get a fair shake before making an official announcement. At RotoBaller, Tagovailoa is ranked as the QB30, one spot behind Raiders' rookie Fernando Mendoza.
Aug 14, 2026 1:15 PM EST
Tua Tagovailoa to Start Preseason Opener on Friday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Denver Broncos, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn't naming a starting QB for the regular season just yet, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. Stefanski said the starters will play around 10 plays/one series but will vary based on the player. The 28-year-old Tagovailoa is widely expected to be named the Falcons' starting QB going into Week 1 of the regular season, with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL and having not yet been cleared to take part in team drills in training camp this summer. The former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and had a league-high 72.9% completion percentage in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, but he has a dangerous history of concussions and threw for under 3,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in Miami. Tagovailoa has the weapons to bounce back in Atlanta in Stefanski's offense in 2026, but given his injury history, lack of arm strength, and likely short leash if he's named the starter, fantasy managers shouldn't be targeting him as much more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Aug 12, 2026 10:03 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Likely to be Falcons' Week 1 Starting QB
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back), who returned to a limited practice on Tuesday, is likely to be the team's Week 1 starter under center. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team work in training camp after tearing his ACL last year, leading to Tagovailoa getting all of the first-team reps so far in camp. Tagovailoa's fantasy stock is rising for those in two-QB superflex leagues as he enters his first season in Atlanta. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and a 72.9% completion percentage in Miami in 2024, and he'll have plenty of weapons around him in Atlanta to bounce back in 2026. However, durability remains a major concern (mostly in relation to head injuries), and when Penix returns to full health, Tagovailoa could be on a short leash in the starting role if he struggles. The arrow is pointing up for Tagovailoa, but RotoBaller still has him ranked as the No. 30 fantasy QB as he heads into his seventh year in the NFL.
Aug 4, 2026 11:23 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Limited Tuesday With Back Injury
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) will be limited during Tuesday's practice, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Tagovailoa began training camp with a flare-up of back stiffness that kept him from fully participating, but head coach Kevin Stefanski described the issue as minor. The veteran returned to 11-on-11 work Monday and completed one of the best throws of the session to Drake London, although he received only a handful of team reps. Atlanta will continue managing his workload as he competes with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job. Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 games with Miami last season. His return to team drills is a positive sign, but the back issue remains worth monitoring until he resumes a full workload. For now, there is no indication that he is in danger of an extended absence.
Aug 4, 2026 10:38 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Returns to 11-on-11 Work
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) returned to 11-on-11 drills during Monday's practice, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Tagovailoa had been sidelined since the start of training camp with back tightness, but he rejoined full-team periods during Atlanta's first padded session. His workload remained limited to a handful of reps, including a well-placed completion to Drake London over linebacker Christian Harris. Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons after completing 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 14 starts for Miami last season. He is expected to compete with Michael Penix Jr., who continues to work back from ACL surgery. Monday's return is a good step for Tagovailoa, though the Falcons will likely continue managing his workload after the brief absence. He remains a possible Superflex option if he wins the starting job, but Atlanta's quarterback competition is still unsettled.
Aug 3, 2026 9:55 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa "Getting Better Every Day"
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) is "getting better every day," according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. Tagovailoa is not 100% recovered from back tightness, but he has practiced the last two days and appears to be on track to be back to full health soon. The 28-year-old took part in individual drills in Thursday's training camp practice. It doesn't seem to be anything the Falcons are overly concerned about. With Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still rehabbing a torn ACL and unlikely to be cleared for another couple of weeks, Tagovailoa has a clear path to claiming the starting QB job going into the start of the 2026 regular season as long as he can stay healthy himself. The former fifth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2020 from the University of Alabama is looking to bounce back in Atlanta after throwing for under 3,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in Miami due to injury (mainly concussion issues). Tagovailoa will have the weapons in Atlanta to do so if he wins the job over Penix, but fantasy managers will be treating him as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Jul 31, 2026 8:47 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Working in Individual Drills
A day after it was reported that he entered training camp with back tightness, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the practice field taking part in some individual drills. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year veteran minimum deal following his release from the Miami Dolphins, and while the expectation is that he will compete with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, neither player has taken part in team drills through the first two practices of training camp as the latter continues his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix is a sought-after fantasy asset in 2026, but their eventual battle could have major ramifications on the more high-value pieces of the Falcons offense, with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. all ranked by RotoBaller within the top seven of their respective position groups.
Jul 30, 2026 6:26 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Dealing with Back Tightness Ahead of Training Camp
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly dealing with back tightness to begin training camp, but head coach Kevin Stefanski does not appear to be overly concerned about his availability moving forward, telling reporters, "He will be out there sooner rather than later." Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, veteran minimum contract following his release from the Dolphins, and with the Falcons having one of the league's few unsettled quarterback situations, there was an expectation that he could gain an early edge in his competition with Penix, as the 2024 first-round pick continues to recover from the knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old Tagovailoa is experiencing back tightness, causing the team to sign veteran Cooper Rush on Wednesday, two days before the first practice of the summer. Tagovailoa's ailment adds one more wrinkle to a battle that already carried considerable fantasy ramifications, and drafters will need to monitor his status throughout camp. The 2023 Pro Bowler currently ranks as RotoBaller's QB30.
Jul 29, 2026 5:15 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa Is a Cheap Superflex Throw-In
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a path to Week 1 starts, but dynasty managers should treat him as a cheap throw-in, not a reclamation project. He completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and a career-high 15 interceptions in 14 starts last season. Atlanta signed him to a one-year deal while Michael Penix Jr. works back from a torn ACL. Tagovailoa took most of the first-team snaps in minicamp, though that came before Penix was cleared for full-team work. The actual competition still has to play out. RotoBaller ranks Tagovailoa as its dynasty QB33 and around QB30 for redraft, which leaves him outside the picture in standard one-quarterback leagues. He has more appeal in superflex, especially for a contender that needs an inexpensive third quarterback. Even there, the lack of rushing production and uncertain job security make him a short-term bet rather than someone to build around.
Jul 24, 2026 10:40 AM EST
Tua Tagovailoa the Favorite to Win Falcons Starting QB Job?
New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will compete with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for the starting QB job in 2026 in his first year in Atlanta, but Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul thinks his former signal-caller will win the job this summer, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "Him going into Atlanta now, he's got a new situation, a new environment, and I know he's going to go in there," Paul said on "The Set" podcast with Terron Armstead. "He's definitely going to win that spot." Tagovailoa, even though he's learning a new offense in a new location, should have a leg up on Penix after Penix suffered a season-ending knee injury that required surgery last year. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards in 2023 and was a Pro Bowler, but he threw for a career-worst 15 interceptions and was benched down the stretch last year before being cut by Miami in the offseason. Head injuries make Tagovailoa a huge risk in both superflex redraft leagues and dynasty formats, but with a potential head start in Atlanta's QB competition and with plenty of weapons on offense in his new situation, Tagovailoa makes for a buy-low target in dynasty leagues going into the 2026 season.
Jul 13, 2026 9:23 AM EST
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