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Tagovailoa, who joined the Falcons during the offseason, had been officially designated as the team's starting quarterback for the Week 1 contest. However, the coaching staff confirmed his unavailability on Friday after he suffered an oblique injury during a practice session on Thursday. Observers noted the quarterback favoring his side following a pass attempt, leading to limited participation for the remainder of that practice.
Quarterback Rotation and Roster Challenges
With Tagovailoa unable to suit up, Falcons head coach
The situation in Atlanta is further complicated by the continued absence of Michael Penix Jr., who served as the team's primary starter throughout the 2025 season. Penix remains sidelined as he recovers from a knee injury that concluded his previous campaign prematurely. His status as an inactive player for the game against Pittsburgh leaves the team without its two most experienced options at the position.
Looking Ahead for the Falcons
The uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position arrives after a challenging 2025 season for Tagovailoa, who was released by the Miami Dolphins after throwing 15 interceptions in 14 games. Despite completing 67.7% of his passes during that tenure, his transition to Atlanta has been marked by a difficult preseason and now, an immediate injury setback.
While the organization hopes Tagovailoa’s absence will be brief, the team faces a period of transition. With Penix expected to contend for the starting role once he returns to full health, the Falcons are managing a fluid situation under center. For now, the team’s focus remains on the immediate challenge posed by the Steelers as they attempt to navigate the opening week of the season with a depleted depth chart.
