Tua Tagovailoa will not start Saturday in Atlanta’s second preseason game, leaving the Falcons without a settled Week 1 quarterback with slightly more than three weeks until the opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 13. Michael Penix Jr. remains limited because of a knee issue and has not been cleared for full-team practice, and coach Kevin Stefanski has not announced a timeline for a decision.
Against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, undrafted rookie Jack Strand and veteran Cooper Rush are slated to take all the snaps at quarterback. Tagovailoa already participated in 11-on-11 team sessions during joint practices this week, while Penix has been limited to 7-on-7 work, with simulated rushes rather than live pass-rush drills.
Tagovailoa acknowledged a rough outing last week in a 27-7 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos and did not impress in that game. He was 3-of-5 for 22 yards, with multiple short targets to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., and the Broncos generated significant pressure. In practice this week he threw an interception and fumbled a snap; he also fumbled on the second snap of the Broncos game.
Stefanski called Tagovailoa “good” in joint practice against the Colts but said protection needs work and that “the quarterback obviously plays a role in that, as well.” Stefanski reiterated he prefers to play starters in the first and third preseason games, which frames the limited work Tagovailoa has received so far.
Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said Penix has looked “really good” in 7-on-7s, praising his footwork, under-center work and throwing, while noting Penix is not yet ready for contact around his legs. Penix had suggested early in training camp that he might be cleared in about four weeks; whether that comes in time to affect the Week 1 decision remains uncertain.
Stefanski emphasized that every role is up for competition and that a Week 1 absence would not preclude Penix from earning the job later. Tagovailoa acknowledged the reality of the timeline, saying, “When it’s game time, it’s game time. You better be ready.”
