It’s not even August yet and the Falcons’ checkered quarterback room is already fractured.
Atlanta’s quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix is on hold due to injuries suffered by both players.
Tagovailoa is sidelined with tightness in his back – an injury that is not expected to be long-term but has him on the shelf for at least the first week of training camp, according to ESPN.
New Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski described it as a “flare up,” per the outlet.
Penix, meanwhile, is not cleared for 11-on-11 while he recovers from ACL surgery.
The Falcons also released veteran QB Trevor Siemian after he re-aggravated a calf injury.
Meanwhile. Atlanta added former Cowboys backup signal-caller Cooper Rush in a move to increase their quarterback depth during camp.
The Falcons also have undrafted free agent Jack Strand on their roster.
Tagovailoa has battled injury issues throughout his career, most notably concussions in the NFL that received loads of attention considering a few were particularly gruesome while he was a Dolphin.
He also suffered a back injury in 2022, though it was nowhere near as serious as the concussions he experienced.
Tagovailoa signed a one-year $1.2 million contract with the Falcons after being released by Miami, which previously inked him to a four-year $212.4 million contract.
Atlanta offers him the chance to start, provided he wins his training camp battle with Penix.
Penix has also been hampered by injuries in his career, and the Falcons took a risk when they drafted him No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft despite tearing his right ACL twice in his college career.
Last November, Penix suffered a partial tear in his left knee that led to ACL surgery, and he is still not cleared for contact as traning camp begins.
Penix is entering the third year of his rookie contract that is guaranteed for four years with a team option for year five.
