Falcons Not Rushing Tagovailoa Out Despite Penix Jr.'s Looming Return
Team sources indicate veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not be immediately released even if all four quarterbacks are healthy.
Despite the impending return of starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons are not planning an immediate departure for veteran Tua Tagovailoa. Cooper Rush is set to make his second consecutive start on Sunday against the Panthers, but both Penix (knee) and Tagovailoa (oblique) are being eyed for availability as soon as Thursday's Week 3 matchup against the Packers.
Sources suggest that the Falcons do not intend to part ways with Tagovailoa, even if the team has four healthy quarterbacks. Penix, the Falcons' first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last November.
The Dolphins released Tagovailoa in March, incurring a record $99.2 million in dead cap money, with $67.4 million impacting the current season. The Falcons subsequently signed him to a one-year, veteran-minimum contract worth $1.215 million. However, Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury while preparing for the season opener against the Steelers and was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Carolina, officially making him inactive.
Penix shared practice repetitions with Rush this week but was not deemed ready for game action. The target for his return has consistently been Week 3, and he has a chance to meet that timeline, according to an ESPN report.
Should neither Penix nor Tagovailoa be ready for Thursday night's game, the Falcons will have an extended preparation period for their Week 4 game against the Saints, scheduled for Monday Night Football on Oct. 5.
Rush had a difficult outing in last Sunday's loss to the Steelers, recording 143 passing yards and two interceptions, resulting in a league-low 2.6 QBR. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand is expected to serve as Rush's backup on Sunday against the Panthers, according to coach Kevin Stefanski.