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Falcons’ Tua Tagovailoa Leads Starter Role After Penix ACL

8/15/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Tagovailoa Starts

Tua Tagovailoa started the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 14, with Atlanta losing 27-7.
He completed 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards, posted a 39.6 rating, and fumbled a snap on his second play.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Tagovailoa was limited to first series, that Michael Penix Jr.’s torn ACL from November 2025 leaves the starting job to lose for Tagovailoa, analyst Ben DiNucci noted.

Summary

Tagovailoa Starter

The Miami Dolphins will absorb an NFL-record $99 million in dead-money over two years after releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa, the 2020 first-overall pick, was sent to Atlanta in a deal that reportedly paid him over $50 million.
Although Michael Penix Jr. is out with a torn ACL, the Falcons named Tagovailoa their starter as they open the season on September 13 at Pittsburgh, prompting split reactions on social media.

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Tagovailoa Starts

Tua Tagovailoa started the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 14, with Atlanta losing 27-7.
He completed 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards, posted a 39.6 rating, and fumbled a snap on his second play.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Tagovailoa was limited to first series, that Michael Penix Jr.’s torn ACL from November 2025 leaves the starting job to lose for Tagovailoa, analyst Ben DiNucci noted.

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