Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustains back injury during Thursday practice session
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 7:03 PM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exited practice on Thursday following an injury incident. During the media-accessible portion of the team's workout, Tagovailoa was observed sitting on the grass appearing to experience discomfort in his back. The quarterback did not return to throwing drills for the remainder of the open session. The Falcons are preparing for their upcoming Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael Penix Jr. is currently sidelined as he recovers from ACL surgery, leaving the team's quarterback availability in flux. If Tagovailoa is unavailable for Sunday, the coaching staff may look to Cooper Rush to start under center, with Jack Strand serving as the secondary option.
- •Tua Tagovailoa showed signs of back discomfort during Thursday practice.
- •The injury occurred during individual drills observed by media members.
- •Tua Tagovailoa did not participate in further throwing drills after the incident.
- •Michael Penix Jr. remains unavailable for Week 1 due to ACL surgery recovery.
- •Cooper Rush is the projected starter if Tua Tagovailoa cannot play Sunday.
- 7:03 PMYahoo Sports — Falcons news: Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a back injury ahead of Week 1 vs. Steelers
- 6:57 PMYahoo Sports — Steelers vs Falcons: QB Tua Tagovailoa injury update
- 6:11 PMYahoo Sports — Tua Tagovailoa injury update: What happened to the Falcons' Week 1 quarterback?
"Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly dealing with back discomfort just days before the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers . The Falcons are preparing to open the 2026 NFL season on the road against Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Tagovailoa’s health has now emerged as a storyline ahead of the opener […] The post Falcons news: Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a back injury ahead of Week 1 vs. Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
"The Steelers are preparing to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and we have an update on the status of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
"The Falcons' quarterback situation somehow got worse.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 7:03 PMFalcons news: Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a back injury ahead of Week 1 vs. Steelers
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly dealing with back discomfort just days before the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers . The Falcons are preparing to open the 2026 NFL season on the road against Pittsburgh on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. Tagovailoa’s health has now emerged as a storyline ahead of the opener […] The post Falcons news: Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a back injury ahead of Week 1 vs. Steelers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 6:57 PMSteelers vs Falcons: QB Tua Tagovailoa injury update
The Steelers are preparing to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and we have an update on the status of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 6:11 PMTua Tagovailoa injury update: What happened to the Falcons' Week 1 quarterback?
The Falcons' quarterback situation somehow got worse.
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