Falcons quarterback problems deepen as Tua Tagovailoa suffers oblique strain at practice

The quarterback conundrum continues for the Atlanta Falcons this week following Tua Tagovailoa’s injury at practice.

The Falcons are considering Tagovailoa, who was named the starter in Week 1 by default it seemed with Michael Penix Jr. still not ready to play, day-to-day after suffering an oblique strain.

Tagovailoa was limited at practice, while Cooper Rush, his backup heading into Week 1, received first-team reps in new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

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This adds a whole new wrinkle to the Falcons’ quarterback situation, which was heavily discussed throughout the preseason, and not in a good way on Tagovailoa’s part.

It was reported that Atlanta’s wish was for Penix to ease his way back into his starting role as the team’s franchise quarterback, while Tagovailoa, whom the Falcons acquired after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, held down the fort until then.

But Tagovailoa’s inconsistent practice and preseason play worried the Falcons about whether that plan was sufficient to begin the regular season. It got to the point where it was believed the Falcons’ job was Penix’s to lose, granted he was healthy enough to go.

Penix is coming off a torn left ACL he suffered in Week 11 of last season, ending his year prematurely. It was also the third ACL tear of his career, dating back to his days in college.

If Tagovailoa is unable to go on Sunday, Rush, who has started 16 games across his eight seasons in the league, will very likely be thrust in there to start the season. Jack Strand, who signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent this offseason, could back him up.

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Tagovailoa was spotted grabbing at his back during the media viewing portion of practice after throwing a pass in a drill. His movement was reportedly quick and he sat down on the grass before ultimately jogging off. He didn’t attempt a pass for the remainder of the media portion, as Rush took his spot in drills.

"I’m not sure what happened, but it’s Thursday practice," Rush said, via ESPN. "Practice has to go on and so you’re up next and that was a good day. It was good to get out there and get some real reps with that group and we’ll see what happens."

Rush noted that this was his first significant workload with the Falcons’ first-team offense since signing with the team.

"The mindset of the prep really never changes," he added. "The only thing that changes is that I think you get more prepared because you get to practice, you get reps, you get walk-through reps. I think it helps a lot."

We’ll see how Tagovailoa’s injury progresses by the weekend, but Stefanski’s Falcons debut might come with a quarterback who would ordinarily be third string if everyone were healthy.