Tua Tagovailoa injury update: Latest news on Falcons QB being held out of training camp

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Tua Tagovailoa injury update: Latest news on Falcons QB being held out of training camp originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa, they gave themselves what they believed to be a good problem by entering 2026 with two starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster.

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As training camp gets underway, they instead have none.

Michael Penix Jr. hasn't been cleared for team drills, which is no surprise as he works his way back from ACL surgery, but a surprise injury to Tagovailoa has Atlanta reeling at the moment.

Here's the latest on Tagovailoa's status as camp gets underway.

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Tua Tagovailoa injury update

Tagovailoa won't practice yet after "something flared up" in his back, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said he expects the former Dolphins quarterback to return "shortly."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tagovailoa's injury is "not considered serious" and should have him back on the practice field "next week."

Still, Tagovailoa's absence has the Falcons' quarterback room in a dire place. Atlanta also released veteran Trevor Siemian due to a non-football injury on Wednesday, so Jack Strand, undrafted out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, is taking first-team reps at the moment.

The Falcons also signed former Cowboys and Ravens QB Cooper Rush on Wednesday for additional help.

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What is Tua Tagovailoa's injury?

Tagovailoa is dealing with a back injury, though the ailment is "not considered serious," Schefter reports. Stefanski said Wednesday that the quarterback's back "flared up" but didn't offer many more details.

When will Tua Tagovailoa return?

Tagovailoa is expected back on the practice field next week, according to Schefter, with Stefanski also saying he expects Tagovailoa to return "shortly."

The Falcons will undoubtedly remain cautious with both Tagovailoa and Penix, given their injury histories, but they are hoping to have both available in some capacity in the near future.

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Tua Tagovailoa injury history

Tagovailoa arrived in Atlanta with a lengthy injury history, dating back to his time at Alabama:

  • 2019: High ankle sprain (missed 1 game)
  • 2019: Dislocated hip (missed rest of season)
  • 2021: Fractured ribs (missed 3 games)
  • 2021: Fractured finger (missed 1 game)
  • 2022: Back injury/concussion controversy
  • 2022: Concussion (missed 2 games)
  • 2022: Concussion (missed rest of season)
  • 2024: Concussion (missed 4 games)
  • 2024: Hip injury (missed 2 games)

The former first-round pick saw his college career end when he was carted off with a dislocated hip, and injuries followed him into the NFL. Tagovailoa has suffered at least three concussions and potentially four, as he was controversially cleared of a potential concussion and instead diagnosed with a back injury after appearing wobbly during a 2022 game. 

Tagoaviloa's most recent concussion cost him four games in 2024, and he's also missed time in the NFL due to fractured ribs, a broken finger and an injury to a hip muscle.

Falcons QB depth chart

RankQB1Michael Penix Jr.2Tua Tagovailoa3Jack Strand4Cooper Rush

The Falcons plan to hold a quarterback competition this summer, but it can't begin in earnest until Penix is cleared to practice as he recovers from ACL surgery. With Tagovailoa also missing some time, it could simply come down to which quarterback is healthier.

Until one of the two is back on the field, undrafted QB Jack Strand is set to take first-team reps. Strand went undrafted out of Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead this spring after throwing for 13,161 over four seasons at the school.

The Falcons also released Trevor Siemian due to a non-football injury on Wednesday and added former Cowboys and Ravens QB Cooper Rush to soak up some reps behind Strand.

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