Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) cleared for backup duties

Tagovailoa, fighting injuries for much of the offseason, missed Atlanta’s first two games with an oblique issue. He’ll return just in time to serve as backup to Michael Penix, who’s returning from a 2025 ACL injury. Penix is set to start Thursday night against a Packers defense allowing the ninth lowest adjusted yards per pass attempt.

With Michael Penix already named the starter, Tagovailoa will be aiming to back him up in Week 3’s TNF clash with the Packers. The 28-year-old veteran got in a full session on Tuesday.

Stefanski said the team will “work through what that means for this week.” Time will tell whether or not that means Tagovailoa has a chance to play in Week 3 against the Packers on Thursday night, as the Falcons have a number of ways they can go at QB this week after another disastrous outing by Cooper Rush. Tagovailoa did not log a practice last week, but Michael Penix (knee) was a full participant. It would be fair to assume that Penix is closer to returning than Tua, but we’ll see where things stand when the team releases its estimated injury report later today.

With the Falcons set to play on Thursday night, Stefanski will have little time to prepare his starter for the week. It’s hard to imagine the team going back to Cooper Rush after back-to-back disastrous starts to open the season, which could pave the way for rookie UDFA Jack Strand to make the start of Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still aren’t ready to go. Strand completed 8-of-15 passes for 59 yards and an interception in his first taste of NFL action. Stefanski did say he had a “decent idea” of who he thinks he will be starting this week, so we’ll likely have our answer soon.

Per Schefter and Ian Rapoport, Penix is the team’s preferred starter and is nearing a return. Once he is finally ready to suit up, the job is his. They also note that the Falcons won’t cut Tua Tagovailoa, even once the team has four healthy quarterbacks. There is a possibility that a team wants to trade for Tua ahead of the midseason deadline, though we’re skeptical that there’s much of a market for him after this disastrous start to the season.

The Falcons have already named QB Cooper Rush (back) the Week 2 starter. Tagovailoa would only serve as a backup if he is somehow active. He does not need to be rostered in 12-team leagues.

Tagovailoa seems to be heading toward his second missed game, which probably does not change much for the Falcons’ offense. Falcons QB Michael Penix (knee) is still not ready to play, per a report from earlier this week, though he is splitting first-team reps with QB Cooper Rush (back).

This all but rules him out for Week 2. Cooper Rush is getting treatment for the back injury he played through in Week 1 and can also be considered questionable. With Michael Penix not quite ready to return from his 2025 knee injury yet, the Falcons could be down to Jack Strand for their date with the Panthers.

Stefanski on Wednesday wouldn’t rule out any of his four quarterbacks of the apocalypse, including rookie QB Jack Strand, who flashed in preseason action against second and third-team defenses. Rush as abysmal in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Steelers. He was 10.5 percent below his expected pass rate, throwing for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. There’s almost no way Strand would be a downgrade for Week 2 if he gets the nod. Michael Penix (knee) will continued to be sidelined and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) is questionable at best. Strand should be picked up in superflex leagues.

Fowler said Penix, still recovering from his 2025 ACL injury, “wants to be fully confident before stepping onto the field. And my understanding is the Falcons are leaving the comfort level part of his recovery up to him.” “Penix is coming off his third ACL reconstruction, which is a lot of ACL reconstructions,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano added. “I believe it takes a lot of mental work to convince yourself it’s OK to go back out there and play. If Penix needs more time, I’m sure the Falcons will give it to him, though I believe we will see him on the field at some point this season.” That would leave Tua Tagovailoa as the team’s presumed starter if Tua can play through the oblique strain that sidelined him in Week 1 against the Steelers. If Tua can’t go, the Falcons could be forced to start Cooper Rush for another game or two. Rush, who had the lowest drop back EPA of any QB in Week 1, makes Drake London and Kyle Pitts iffy starts in 12-team fantasy formats.