Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa’s Back Issue Limits Early-Camp Participation

Tua Tagovailoa joined the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year, $1.3 million contract after being released by the Miami Dolphins in March. He was a 2023 Pro Bowl selection and led the NFL that season with 4,642 passing yards. The previous year he threw 15 interceptions, prompting the Dolphins to move on. In Atlanta, Tagovailoa is competing for the starting quarterback role with Michael Penix Jr., who is also limited by an ACL injury. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand and veteran Cooper Rush have been receiving the bulk of 11-on-11 reps in the early weeks of training camp.

ESPNTua Tagovailoa Injury: Full return TBD NBC Sports

During the opening week of camp, Tagovailoa experienced “just some tightness” in his back, a flare-up he described as his first such issue. The discomfort led him to sit out the Wednesday opening practice and to restrict his participation to individual drills and a half-speed walk-through with the offense on Friday. He did not take part in 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills. Tagovailoa indicated that, were the team preparing for a regular-season game, he would likely be ready to play, but no timetable has been set for a full return to on-field activities.

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Tagovailoa told reporters that the team is treating the back tightness as a precaution early in camp and that the coaching and training staff will determine when he can resume full practice. He emphasized feeling “great” and enjoying being with the offense, while noting that the decision to limit his workload is driven by the early-season calendar rather than any immediate danger. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has not provided a specific timetable, and the training staff continues to work with Tagovailoa in a pool to alleviate the tension.

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• “I think just right now it's just a precaution thing early on in camp, and then we'll work through that,” — Tua Tagovailoa

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• “I don't personally have a timetable, but that's a conversation to have with the head coach and with our training staff,” — Tua Tagovailoa

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• “I feel great right now. Like I said, it feels good to be out there with the guys, be able to throw, continue to hear the plays, get in the huddle with the guys. All of that.” — Tua Tagovailoa

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