RADIO
Michael Penix Jr. Still Only Doing 7-on-7 Drills
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) remains limited to 7-on-7 work as he continues his recovery from a partially torn ACL in his left knee. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Atlanta has 7-on-7 periods scheduled during this week's joint practices against the Indianapolis Colts specifically so Penix can participate, according to Marc Raimondi. The third-year quarterback still has not been cleared for full 11-on-11 team drills. Penix underwent surgery in late November after the injury ended his 2025 season and has been working through individual drills, one-on-ones and 7-on-7 periods during camp. Getting reps against the Colts defense will give him something different this week without pushing him beyond his current restrictions. Penix has said his goal is to be ready for Week 1, but the Falcons have continued to let the medical staff determine his pace. Until he's cleared for full-team work, there is still another significant step to take in his return.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Tua Tagovailoa Plays Two Series, Eyes TE Often in Preseason Opener
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earned the start in Friday's 27-7 preseason home loss to the Broncos, playing two series in the first quarter before giving way to backup QB Cooper Rush. Tagovailoa was 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards, with four of his five passes being directed to tight end Kyle Pitts, and he was credited with one rush for no gain after the left-handed signal caller fumbled a snap but was able to recover the ball. It was reported on Saturday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the former first-round draft pick has the "inside track " for the starting job in Atlanta while Michael Penix Jr. (knee) finishes up rehabbing his knee, and this performance likely does nothing to change that, with his next chance to secure the gig coming next Saturday against the Colts in a preseason contest on the road. Assuming he does secure it, it does little for his fantasy prospects, with the Alabama product currently sitting at No. 30 in RotoBaller's latest QB rankings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tua Tagovailoa has "Inside Track" on Starting QB Job
The Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback ahead of Friday night's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that Tua Tagovailoa has an "inside track" on the starting gig. Tagovailoa is the obvious favorite to eventually be named the Falcons' Week 1 starter under center, primarily because Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has yet to be cleared for team drills in training camp after suffering a partially torn ACL in his knee in Week 11 of last year. As long as Tagovailoa stays healthy through the preseason and doesn't totally flop, he should enter his first year in Atlanta as the starter over the rehabbing Penix. However, with that said, that won't suddenly make him a super popular QB2 target in superflex leagues, as there's still plenty of injury risk with the former first-rounder, and the Falcons will likely have a short leash on him if he struggles. Head coach Kevin Stefanski may wait until after the preseason and for Penix to get a fair shake before making an official announcement. At RotoBaller, Tagovailoa is ranked as the QB30, one spot behind Raiders' rookie Fernando Mendoza.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
ACL Issues Behind Michael Penix Jr.?
Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) was told by a doctor that he has "an amazing ACL" and that he shouldn't "have any more knee problems for the rest of your career." It seems like a pretty optimistic statement for a player who has already torn his right ACL twice (in college) and who suffered a partial tear of his left ACL last year while playing for the Falcons. Penix has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team drills in training camp this summer, but after this glowing report on his left knee, that could change sooner rather than later. Still, the former first-rounder from the University of Washington has lost valuable time in the QB competition with Tua Tagovailoa. Head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to name a starter for the start of the 2026 regular season, but it would be a big surprise if Tua wasn't the guy. Penix could get another opportunity under center as the starter in Atlanta in 2026, but it might take an injury or poor performance from Tagovailoa for it to happen.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Michael Penix Jr. Still Not Cleared for 11-on-11 Work
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is still not cleared for 11-on-11 team work in training camp, and he will not play in Friday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Even though Penix has yet to really compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting QB job this summer, head coach Kevin Stefanski has refused to name a starter for the beginning of the 2026 regular season. Tagovailoa will start on Friday against Denver, although he's likely to play only one offensive series. The 26-year-old Penix has been limited to 7-on-7 drills at camp so far, and it's unclear if he'll be able to play in any preseason games. Although Stefanski has yet to name a starting QB, the overwhelming expectation is that Tagovailoa will get the nod to begin the year. He'll likely be on a short leash if he doesn't perform, but as things currently stand, Penix is undraftable in single-year fantasy leagues, even in two-QB superflex formats.
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Tua Tagovailoa to Start Preseason Opener on Friday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Denver Broncos, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he isn't naming a starting QB for the regular season just yet, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. Stefanski said the starters will play around 10 plays/one series but will vary based on the player. The 28-year-old Tagovailoa is widely expected to be named the Falcons' starting QB going into Week 1 of the regular season, with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL and having not yet been cleared to take part in team drills in training camp this summer. The former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and had a league-high 72.9% completion percentage in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, but he has a dangerous history of concussions and threw for under 3,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in Miami. Tagovailoa has the weapons to bounce back in Atlanta in Stefanski's offense in 2026, but given his injury history, lack of arm strength, and likely short leash if he's named the starter, fantasy managers shouldn't be targeting him as much more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Michael Penix Jr. has Good Day in 7-on-7 Drills
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had a good day in training camp practice on Monday while working in 7-on-7 drills, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Penix looked strong in the pocket and "worked the middle of the field well," hitting receiver Drake London several times. The lefty QB also dropped a long ball into tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.'s arms around 25 yards down the field, down the sideline. It's nice to hear for Penix, but the 26-year-old has yet to be cleared for team drills after suffering a partially torn ACL in his left knee in Week 11 of the 2025 season. The Falcons have yet to name a starter in their QB competition this summer between Penix and former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, but all signs point to Tua getting the nod, at least to begin the 2026 regular season. Penix will almost certainly sit out Friday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, and he'll most likely be holding the clipboard on the sideline for Tagovailoa in Week 1 of the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His redraft and dynasty value has tanked going into his third year in the NFL.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Falcons Don't Have a Timetable to Name a Starting QB
The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports that the Atlanta Falcons don't have a timetable to name a starting quarterback between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee). "Obviously, we will get to that point when we feel it's necessary," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. It's unclear if Tagovailoa will play in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Denver Broncos, but the Falcons should make an announcement by Wednesday. The 28-year-old Tagovailoa is the clear leader in the QB competition in Atlanta because Penix has yet to be cleared to participate in team drills in training camp after tearing his ACL last year. It would be a massive surprise if Tagovailoa is not the Falcons' starting signal-caller for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tua is looking to bounce back with a change of scenery, and although he has the weapons to do it in Atlanta, his history of concussions makes him a risky bounce-back QB option in superflex fantasy formats. And because Tagovailoa rarely runs with the football, he'll have minimal QB2 upside.
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Source: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
Tua Tagovailoa Likely to be Falcons' Week 1 Starting QB
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back), who returned to a limited practice on Tuesday, is likely to be the team's Week 1 starter under center. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) has not been cleared for 11-on-11 team work in training camp after tearing his ACL last year, leading to Tagovailoa getting all of the first-team reps so far in camp. Tagovailoa's fantasy stock is rising for those in two-QB superflex leagues as he enters his first season in Atlanta. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick from the University of Alabama led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and a 72.9% completion percentage in Miami in 2024, and he'll have plenty of weapons around him in Atlanta to bounce back in 2026. However, durability remains a major concern (mostly in relation to head injuries), and when Penix returns to full health, Tagovailoa could be on a short leash in the starting role if he struggles. The arrow is pointing up for Tagovailoa, but RotoBaller still has him ranked as the No. 30 fantasy QB as he heads into his seventh year in the NFL.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tua Tagovailoa Limited Tuesday With Back Injury
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) will be limited during Tuesday's practice, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Tagovailoa began training camp with a flare-up of back stiffness that kept him from fully participating, but head coach Kevin Stefanski described the issue as minor. The veteran returned to 11-on-11 work Monday and completed one of the best throws of the session to Drake London, although he received only a handful of team reps. Atlanta will continue managing his workload as he competes with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job. Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 games with Miami last season. His return to team drills is a positive sign, but the back issue remains worth monitoring until he resumes a full workload. For now, there is no indication that he is in danger of an extended absence.
Source: Josh Kendall
Source: Josh Kendall
Tua Tagovailoa Returns to 11-on-11 Work
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) returned to 11-on-11 drills during Monday's practice, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Tagovailoa had been sidelined since the start of training camp with back tightness, but he rejoined full-team periods during Atlanta's first padded session. His workload remained limited to a handful of reps, including a well-placed completion to Drake London over linebacker Christian Harris. Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons after completing 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 14 starts for Miami last season. He is expected to compete with Michael Penix Jr., who continues to work back from ACL surgery. Monday's return is a good step for Tagovailoa, though the Falcons will likely continue managing his workload after the brief absence. He remains a possible Superflex option if he wins the starting job, but Atlanta's quarterback competition is still unsettled.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Unclear if Michael Penix Jr. Will Play in Preseason Games
It's unclear as of right now if either Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) or Tua Tagovailoa (back) will play in any preseason games, according to Tori McElhaney of the team's official website. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said a decision will be made at a later date, and with Penix, it will depend on where he's at in his recovery from a torn ACL in 2025. Penix was at training camp on Friday, but he continued to be held out of full team drills. However, he did get all of the high red-zone snaps in 7-on-7 work. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2024 from the University of Washington had surgery last November on his knee, and it might be several more weeks before he's fully cleared for team work in training camp. While nothing will be settled in terms of the QB competition for a while, Penix's extended rehab has opened the door for Tagovailoa to become the favorite in the competition under center this summer. Penix's fantasy stock in both redraft and dynasty leagues is way down entering 2026, and he could be an injury liability for the rest of his career.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Tori McElhaney
Tua Tagovailoa "Getting Better Every Day"
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (back) is "getting better every day," according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. Tagovailoa is not 100% recovered from back tightness, but he has practiced the last two days and appears to be on track to be back to full health soon. The 28-year-old took part in individual drills in Thursday's training camp practice. It doesn't seem to be anything the Falcons are overly concerned about. With Michael Penix Jr. (knee) still rehabbing a torn ACL and unlikely to be cleared for another couple of weeks, Tagovailoa has a clear path to claiming the starting QB job going into the start of the 2026 regular season as long as he can stay healthy himself. The former fifth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2020 from the University of Alabama is looking to bounce back in Atlanta after throwing for under 3,000 yards in each of his final two seasons in Miami due to injury (mainly concussion issues). Tagovailoa will have the weapons in Atlanta to do so if he wins the job over Penix, but fantasy managers will be treating him as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues. UPDATE: Tagovailoa said he feels "great right now," per ESPN's Marc Raimondi.
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
Tua Tagovailoa Working in Individual Drills
A day after it was reported that he entered training camp with back tightness, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was on the practice field taking part in some individual drills. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year veteran minimum deal following his release from the Miami Dolphins, and while the expectation is that he will compete with 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, neither player has taken part in team drills through the first two practices of training camp as the latter continues his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix is a sought-after fantasy asset in 2026, but their eventual battle could have major ramifications on the more high-value pieces of the Falcons offense, with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. all ranked by RotoBaller within the top seven of their respective position groups.
Source: Marc Raimondi
Source: Marc Raimondi
Michael Penix Jr. Might Not be Close to a Return
Although Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said that he's "feeling really good," he said that doctors told him a week ago that he probably had another four weeks in his rehab from a torn left ACL suffered last year, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That timetable would track to Aug. 25 being the ninth month removed from knee surgery. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that Penix wouldn't take part in 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp, and with Tua Tagovailoa also dealing with a tight back, the Falcons' QB battle is off to a bad start. With both QBs injured, the Falcons signed veteran Cooper Rush as insurance on Wednesday. The Falcons are optimistic that Penix will be ready in time for preseason games, but the more time he misses, the likelihood of him winning the starting job going into Week 1 diminishes. Penix's fantasy stock in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues continues to fall by the day, even though he technically still isn't being ruled out for the QB1 job.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
