Tua Tagovailoa Calls Falcons Debut 'Not Up to Standard' in Blowout Loss
Update: Michael Penix Jr. will start Thursday night at Green Bay, his first game since ACL surgery. Cooper Rush threw four interceptions in two starts, and Tagovailoa remains out with the oblique strain.
Tua Tagovailoa made his Atlanta Falcons debut in Thursday's 27-7 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, going 3 of 5 for 22 yards across two series and fumbling a snap he recovered himself. "Definitely not up to standard, not even up to par," Tagovailoa said afterward.
How did he end up in Atlanta?
Miami released Tagovailoa in March 2026, absorbing roughly $99.2 million in dead cap space. He signed a one-year, veteran-minimum deal worth $1.3 million with the Falcons as a free agent.
What did he say about the performance?
Tagovailoa said the showing "is not a reflection of the hard work" the offense has put in during camp, targeting tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. on all four of his throws.
How did the rest of the game go?
Denver scored 24 unanswered points, including a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Jahdae Barron off a tipped pass. Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham went 9 of 13 for 131 yards and a touchdown in the win, Denver's eighth straight preseason victory dating to 2023.
Has Atlanta settled on a starter since?
No, but the picture is changing fast. Tagovailoa sat out Saturday's 34-6 win over Indianapolis, which Atlanta won behind backups. Penix, meanwhile, has now been fully cleared for full team practice for the first time since his November ACL surgery, after being limited to individual drills and 7-on-7 work all offseason. Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt has said the real competition between the two "could not really begin until Penix was fully cleared," meaning this week marks the first time it's an even fight for the job.
Who starts the preseason finale?
Tagovailoa will start Atlanta's preseason finale against Miami, with Penix sitting out. Coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated that no Week 1 starter has been named. Tagovailoa has struggled in his preseason work overall but reportedly performed better in camp this week, while Penix says he expects to be fully healthy for Week 1.
Who starts Week 1?
Tagovailoa. The Falcons announced on Sept. 7 that he will start the opener at Pittsburgh, with Penix inactive and Cooper Rush as the backup. Penix is cleared from his ACL surgery but said he is "not where I want to be right now" while "really close," and Stefanski framed the call as one game at a time: "I've got the blinders on, so I see Week 1 in front of me and after this one, then we'll start on the next one." Tagovailoa went 7 of 8 for 95 yards in the preseason finale against Miami.
Why won't he start after all?
Tagovailoa strained his oblique while throwing during Thursday's practice and was ruled out on Friday, Sept. 11, with Stefanski calling him week-to-week. "Disappointed for him, obviously. He's a very competitive person," Stefanski said. Cooper Rush, 32, starts instead; he is 9-7 as a starter in his career and signed with Atlanta before camp after throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns in limited work for Baltimore last season. Penix remains inactive despite practicing fully, and Stefanski said he was never an option this week: "Mike will be ready when he's ready." Undrafted rookie Jack Strand is the backup.
Is Rush healthy?
Rush dealt with back spasms on Saturday but felt better Sunday morning and is still slated to start at Pittsburgh, with Strand as the only other available quarterback. Stefanski also clarified that the tight back Tagovailoa had at the start of camp is unrelated to the oblique injury.
Could Penix start in Week 2?
He hasn't ruled it out. Rush started the 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh with Tagovailoa (oblique) and Penix both unavailable, and on Wednesday Penix split first-team reps with Rush, who is still managing back spasms. "Mentally, I want to go play, but I'm not going to go out there if I don't feel where I need to be physically," Penix said. He explained that this was his third ACL surgery, that the graft came from his quad because earlier repairs used his patellar tendons, and that he had an additional procedure for knee stability, which is why his timeline differs from other quarterbacks' returns.
What is the final Week 2 status?
Penix was ruled out on Friday's report, so his return waits at least another week. Tagovailoa is listed as doubtful. Rush is the only healthy quarterback with starting experience on the roster.
Who starts in Week 3?
Penix, for the first time since Week 11 of last season. Rush went 22 of 39 for 229 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in the two losses, plus a lost fumble, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand threw a pick-six on his first NFL pass against Carolina. Penix, 26, the eighth pick in 2024, has 12 career starts and has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Atlanta is 0-2 going into Lambeau Field on Thursday night.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa frustrated, disappointed with play in preseason loss to Broncos
- ESPN: As season opener nears, Falcons still don't have a QB1
- ESPN: Falcons quarterback Michael Penix fully cleared to practice
- ESPN: Tua to start in Falcons' preseason finale; no starter named yet
- ESPN: Falcons name Tua Tagovailoa Week 1 starting QB vs. Steelers
- ESPN: Tagovailoa out, Rush to start at QB for Falcons vs. Steelers
- ESPN: Falcons' Penix 'close' to return, still mum on Week 2 status
- ESPN: Fantasy football Week 2 inactives: Collins ruled out, Flowers doubtful, Burrow questionable for Sunday
- ESPN: Falcons to start QB Michael Penix on Thursday vs. Packers
Falcons & Broncos betting odds
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
FanDuel Sportsbook: Get $250 in Bonus Bets When You Wager $5 for 5 Days. New customers only. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook, verify your account, and make a deposit of at least $5. Place a single online real-money wager of $5+ between 3 AM ET and 11:59 PM ET each day for 5 consecutive days starting from your first eligible wager. Maximum bonus of $50 per day ($250 total). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire 7 days after receipt. The 5-day period begins once you're opted in to the promotion. Eligibility and state restrictions apply. See the current offer and full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ and present in select states. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV or WY. Apply the promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting the day of account creation. FanCash rewards equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash per day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
21+ and present in a state where Fanatics Sportsbook operates. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Touchdown Week may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. Please bet responsibly.
