Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Starting QB as No. 8 Pick Michael Penix Jr. Lands on Injured List
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 14
Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Starting QB as No. 8 Pick Michael Penix Jr. Lands on Injured List
3 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · Aug 14
Summary
Atlanta’s first official depth chart puts Tua Tagovailoa at No. 1, with Cooper Rush backing him up, while Michael Penix Jr. is omitted and listed only as an injured player.
Penix is practicing after last year’s ACL injury but has not taken part in 11-on-11 drills, leaving Tagovailoa as the clearest healthy Week 1 option.
That opening could become decisive if Tagovailoa plays well early, because Penix may struggle to reclaim the job once he is fully available.
Atlanta’s current leadership — coach Kevin Stefanski, GM Ian Cunningham and president Matt Ryan — did not draft the No. 8 overall pick, reducing any built-in pressure to force Penix onto the field.