Tua Tagovailoa injured in practice as Falcons QB nightmare worsens before Week 1

The Falcons had another wrench thrown into their quarterback situation on Thursday.

Tua Tagovailoa, who is set to start on Sunday against the Steelers with Michael Penix Jr. getting extra time to prepare after recovering from a knee injury, suffered an oblique injury during practice and was listed as a limited participant.

The 28-year-old grabbed at his back and sat down on the grass briefly before getting up, according to reporters on the scene. He did not appear to throw a pass for the remainder of the portion of practice open to the media. Cooper Rush later told reporters he took all the first-team reps.

Tagovailoa, who signed with the Falcons after getting cut by the Dolphins, dealt with a back issue early in training camp.

Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in 2024, had ACL surgery after getting injured last November. He is medically cleared but isn’t expected to be active for Week 1.

Therefore, Rush would likely start for the Falcons should Tagovailoa be unable to play.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in late August that the Falcons’ goal was for Tagovailoa to be their starter and let Penix take his time before returning to action.

But, Rapoport said, “Tua’s play made that impossible,” as he struggled throughout the summer.

So while Penix won’t dress on Sunday, there could be urgency for him to return as soon as possible.

Before the 2024 season, Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the Dolphins. After suffering a oncussion early in the season, which followed his scary concussions from the 2022 season.

He finished the year with 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games.

Tagovailoa then had 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 games last season and was benched late in the year for Quinn Ewers.

In nine starts for Atlanta last season, Penix had 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Rush, 32, was a longtime Cowboys backup who made four appearances with the Ravens last season, going 34-for-52 with 303 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions.