Tua Tagovailoa Not Fretting Back Issue, Unsure on Full Return Timeline
The quarterback missed a training camp session with a flare-up before returning to practice Thursday, as he competes for Atlanta's starting job with Michael Penix Jr. still working back from an ACL injury.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice Thursday after missing the opening training camp session when a back issue flared up. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn't concerned about the injury's severity and expects Tagovailoa back "sooner rather than later."
How serious is the issue?
Stefanski characterized the flare-up as not serious and said he anticipates a quick turnaround, a read reinforced by Tagovailoa's return to practice just a day after sitting out. Neither the team nor Tagovailoa has offered a firm date for when he'll be fully back to unrestricted work.
How does this affect the quarterback competition?
Tagovailoa is competing for Atlanta's starting job for Week 1, with the winner set to take over once Michael Penix Jr. is fully cleared from his own ACL injury. Penix's recovery timeline points to a return around the end of August, roughly four weeks out, meaning the competition remains fluid even with Tagovailoa's minor setback.
What did the Falcons do to cover the position?
With both of their top quarterbacks dealing with recent injury situations, Atlanta released veteran Trevor Siemian and signed Cooper Rush, adding a proven backup option to the room as camp continues to sort out the depth chart.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Tua Tagovailoa not fretting back issue, unsure on full return
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