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League: NFLSport: FootballCountry: United StatesCategory: Injuries

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustains back injury during Thursday practice session

14 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 4:13 PM

Last updated Sep 13, 2026

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustains back injury during Thursday practice session
Summary

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.

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Status Watch
  • •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.
Latest Updates
  • 4:13 PMYahoo Sports — Tua Tagovailoa’s Oblique Injury Called ‘Fishy’ by Ex-Steeler After Mike Tomlin’s TV Comments
  • 2:04 PMYahoo Sports — Falcons rule out Tua Tagovailoa vs. Steelers; Atlanta will start third-string backup
  • 6:24 PMYahoo Sports — Tua Tagovailoa's unfortunate injury another bad break in what has become a sad tale
  • 5:26 PMYahoo Sports — Kevin Stefanski gives injury update on Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa
  • 4:47 PMYahoo Sports — Tua Tagovailoa injury: Falcons QB suffers oblique injury in practice
  • 11:56 PMYahoo Sports — Steelers vs Falcons: Nature of Tua Tagovailoa injury revealed
  • 10:38 PMYahoo Sports — Steelers vs. Falcons Week 1, Thursday injury report: Tua Tagovailoa picks up injury
  • 10:33 PMBleacher Report — Tua Injury Status Revealed in NFL Rumors After Suffering Oblique Injury in Video at Falcons Practice - Bleacher Report
What they're saying
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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.

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The Atlanta Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starter against Pittsburgh after he won the job in training camp, but that plan lasted until Thursday’s practice, when he grabbed at his side, sat down on the grass, and was eventually ruled out with an oblique injury. Michael Penix Jr., the team’s starter for most […] The post Tua Tagovailoa’s Oblique Injury Called ‘Fishy’ by Ex-Steeler After Mike Tomlin’s TV Comments appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

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Here is Thursday’s Week 1 injury report for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Atlanta Falcons, with Tua Tagovailoa picking up a surprising injury.

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Atlanta FalconsMiami DolphinsPittsburgh SteelersIndianapolis ColtsDallas CowboysBaltimore RavensNFLFootball

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