What happened to Tua Tagovailoa? Falcons QB injury update as Michael Penix Jr. starts
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The Atlanta Falcons had one of the few open quarterback competitions ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Veteran free-agent signing Tua Tagovailoa was expected to battle with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the right to start in Week 1.
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That competition never materialized. Penix missed the entire preseason while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the 2025 season, which effectively handed Tagovailoa the starting job by default.
Even despite that, Tagovailoa has yet to make his regular-season debut for the Falcons. The 28-year-old suffered an injury in the lead-up to Week 1 and hasn't yet returned to the field.
Now, with Penix healthy and getting the nod in Week 3, many are wondering whether Tagovailoa will get a chance to try to resurrect his NFL career with the Falcons.
Here's what to know about Tagovailoa's status and his standing in the Falcons' quarterback room.
What happened to Tua Tagovailoa?
Tagovailoa is dealing with an oblique injury he suffered in practice on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Tagovailoa was injured during a passing drill. He attempted a pass but then immediately hunched over in pain, reaching for his back and crumpling to the ground. He received medical attention on the field and did not return to practice, standing off to the side while watching the session.
The Falcons listed Tagovailoa as "limited" on the team's practice report, casting doubt on his availability for Week 1. He was eventually ruled out for the contest and also did not play in Week 2 because of the injury.
Tua Tagovailoa injury update
The good news for Tagovailoa? He is evidently getting close to making his Falcons debut.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't commit to Tagovailoa being active for the team's "Thursday Night Football" clash with the Green Bay Packers, but he also indicated the 28-year-old was generating positive momentum.
"We’ll see," Stefanski told reporters when asked about Tagovailoa's status. "But he’s trending in the right direction."
Later that day, the Falcons released their final injury report for the week. Tagovailoa was listed without an injury status, meaning he should be available to play Thursday, though that doesn't necessarily guarantee he will be active.
But even with his return arriving, Tagovailoa appears to have missed his window to emerge as the Falcons' starter.
Falcons QB depth chart
Penix is getting the nod after being a full participant in practice in the early stages of the 2026 NFL season.
Below is a full look at the Falcons' depth chart ahead of their "Thursday Night Football" game against the Packers:
- Michael Penix Jr.
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Cooper Rush
- Jack Strand
Rush started each of the Falcons' first two games with Penix and Tagovailoa hurt. The veteran struggled, completing 56.4% of his passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.
Strand, an undrafted rookie from Minnesota State – Moorhead, served as Rush's backup. He relieved his elder counterpart in the team's Week 2 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, completing 8 of 15 passes for 59 yards and an interception.
It isn't clear whether Rush or Strand will be designated the Falcons' emergency, third-string quarterback if Tagovailoa plays Thursday's game.
Tua Tagovailoa contract
The Falcons did not have to invest heavily to land Tagovailoa in free agency. Atlanta inked him to a one-year contract worth a veteran minimum of $1.215 million, as the former Dolphins starter was already on the hook to make $54 million from his former team.
Any money Atlanta paid Tagovailoa would have simply offset what Miami owed him. As such, it behooved Tagovailoa to take the veteran minimum deal, granting the Falcons maximum flexibility while ensuring the Dolphins remain on the hook for roughly $52.785 million of his overall earnings for 2026.
Tagovailoa will be a free agent after the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to Tua Tagovailoa? Falcons QB injury update as Michael Penix Jr. starts