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.

“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

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.

The former Miami Dolphins quarterback completed three of his five passes for 22 yards during his limited action. Atlanta failed to generate points on either of Tagovailoa’s two possessions, punting on both drives. Following the loss, Tagovailoa acknowledged that his performance fell well short of expectations, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

“Definitely not up to standard, not even up to par. Start with the first drive, second play, just being able to catch the snap. Little things like that,” Tagovailoa said. “What we put out there is not a reflection of the hard work that we’ve put in the first two weeks of training camp, and it does no justice to the work our coaches have implemented. It starts with me. I’ve got to be better with that.”

Tua takes responsibility for the loss

Tagovailoa joined Atlanta this offseason following his departure from Miami, giving the 28-year-old quarterback a fresh start after six seasons with the Dolphins. His first game with Atlanta yielded mixed results, as the offense struggled to find its rhythm against Denver.

Despite the limited number of snaps, Tagovailoa placed responsibility for the offensive struggles on himself. “It starts with me,” Tagovailoa said. “I’ve got to be better. That’s it. . . . I’ve got to be better for our guys.”

Tagovailoa’s time on the field against Denver was short, but he showed signs of his production. He completed three out of five passes for 22 yards before Cooper Rush and Jack Strand took over quarterback duties for the remainder of the game.

Tua’s competition under center

Cooper Rush and Jack Strand both attempted more passes than Tagovailoa. Rush completed seven out of 19 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions. Strand was successful on six out of 12 throws for 50 yards while scoring a rushing touchdown. Still, Tagovailoa clearly has much more to give moving forward.

Signs point to the Falcons fielding their starters, meaning Tagovailoa is expected to play against the Broncos as the starting quarterback. The former Miami Dolphins starter, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta, has a clear path to the starting job as long as Penix is limited to individual work and 7-on-7 drills in practice.

Cooper Rush, who was signed at the start of training camp to give the team another veteran at quarterback, will play behind Tagovailoa. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand will finish the game.

What to expect from Tua in his debut

Since he will likely play just one series, Tagovailoa might feel he has to do something spectacular in his limited time. However, that mindset could put the ball in danger and ultimately lead to a turnover.

Instead of trying to force things, he needs to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he understands and commands the offense. Showing poise under pressure, staying comfortable directing the game, and building confidence with both his coaches and teammates will be key.

Preseason games must be taken with caution, but Tagovailoa and the first team will likely have the opportunity to face off against some starters. It is a first test for Tagovailoa with the Falcons, but not one where he needs to lead a touchdown drive or deliver highlight-reel passes.

Tagovailoa must capitalize on the opportunity

Tagovailoa needs to display poise and protect the football while putting his best foot forward, especially given the tough competition for the starting spot. He must take advantage now while Penix is unavailable, so expect to see a committed Tagovailoa working to adapt to his new NFL team.

“Nothing too serious, just a caution kind of thing where we’re not rushing it. It was just a flare-up, nothing big, not anything long-term. We’ll be fine,” Tagovailoa said on NFL Network.

After his stint with the Miami Dolphins, where his final seasons were marked by concussions and inconsistent performances, Tua is looking for a fresh start this time with the Falcons. It will not be an easy task, as he will face strong competition from Michael Penix Jr.

The competition with Penix Jr.

Kevin Stefanski was appointed by the Falcons’ front office as their new head coach, and his main task right now is deciding whether Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. will be the starter in Week 1. Both quarterbacks are dealing with different injuries and are trying to catch their new HC’s attention during the 2026 training camp, while maintaining a healthy internal competition.

“I view it as a competition. I understand he can’t take some team reps right now because of what he’s going through, but he’s still being able to compete in seven-on-seven, he’s still able to go through some plays,” Tagovailoa said. “It’s definitely a competition.”

What injuries do Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. have?

Michael Penix Jr. is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025, remaining limited in 11-on-11 drills while working toward full medical clearance. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa has been held back early in camp as a precaution due to a minor lower back tightness/sprain, though he is expected to return to full practice shortly.

The Falcons’ season opener

The Falcons want to become the competitive team they were not long ago, the one that reached a Super Bowl, and to achieve that, they will need to get off to a strong start to establish themselves as contenders in the NFC.

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

The Falcons are carefully managing Tagovailoa’s workload after bringing him in following his surprising departure from the Miami Dolphins. They view the former first-round pick as an experienced option capable of competing for the starting quarterback job, but the coaching staff has no intention of rushing him through camp.

For Tagovailoa, the opportunity represents a fresh start after an injury-plagued tenure in Miami. The Dolphins ultimately decided to move on following inconsistent performances and continued durability concerns, opening the door for the quarterback to attempt to revive his career in Atlanta.

Tua Tagovailoa explains his back issue

Tua Tagovailoa downplayed concerns about his health as training camp with the Falcons is under way. The quarterback admitted that the decision to fully clear him is up to the coaching staff.

“I don’t personally have a timetable, but that’s a conversation to have with the head coach and with our training staff. I think right now it’s just a precaution thing early on in camp, and then we’ll work through that. But I feel great right now. And like I said, it feels good to be out there with the guys, be able to throw, continue to hear the plays, get in the huddle with the guys.”

His comments suggest the Falcons are simply taking a cautious approach while allowing him to remain involved in meetings and on-field work whenever possible.

Falcons QB competition remains open

Tua Tagovailoa enters one of the most important training camps of his career. The former Dolphins quarterback is competing with Michael Penix Jr. for Atlanta’s QB1 job, making every practice and preseason opportunity critical.

While Penix is widely viewed as the franchise’s long-term future, Tagovailoa’s experience gives him a legitimate chance to challenge for the starting role if he stays healthy.

For now, the Falcons appear focused on ensuring Tagovailoa is physically ready before increasing his workload, hoping the former Pro Bowler can finally put his injury struggles behind him and help elevate Atlanta’s offense in 2026.

This offseason, when the Miami Dolphins released Tua Tagovailoa, the Falcons moved quickly to secure the veteran quarterback. However, his status as the definitive starter is far from guaranteed.

The Falcons still have Michael Penix Jr. on their roster. He is currently recovering from his third ACL tear, and according to Kevin Stefanski, he is making strong strides to compete for the starting job in Week 1.

“You’ll see today. Mike’s been doing a very good job, like I’ve told you guys since the beginning,” Stefanski said. “His main focus is getting healthy, and he’s doing that. With that, he’s able to do more and more football at the direction of our medical staff, so we’ve been working hand in hand with what that looks like. So, you’ll see Mike out there in individual, you’ll see him in the 7-on-7s. He is not doing team periods yet, but that time is coming.”

Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.: Who will start in Week 1?

When the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, there were major concerns surrounding his durability. He had already torn his ACL twice in college, which is why many doubted whether he could remain healthy during his NFL career.

Unfortunately, those concerns have proven valid. Penix Jr. has struggled to stay on the field, suffering multiple knee injuries so far. According to DraftSharks, he carries a 20% chance of injury in 2026, which is certainly not the ideal scenario for Atlanta.

However, the other option Stefanski has for his offense has also struggled with durability. Tagovailoa has suffered several high-profile concussions during his NFL career, and he hopes to change that narrative during his new chapter in Atlanta.

As of today, Tagovailoa seems to be the frontrunner based purely on his experience. Nevertheless, if Penix Jr. delivers a solid performance during offseason workouts, he could win this tight race and start in Week 1 over the former Dolphins playmaker.

Who is the QB3 for the Falcons?

Falcons fans are understandably anxious about the quarterback room they currently have. The battle between Penix Jr. and Tagovailoa seems to depend entirely on whoever can manage to stay healthy, and unfortunately, their injury histories provide very little security for the team.

With neither Penix Jr. nor Tagovailoa providing guaranteed stability due to their medical backgrounds, fans are wondering who the QB3 on the roster is. Veteran Trevor Siemian is currently sitting behind them, ready to step in whenever the club needs him.