The Atlanta Falcons are dealing with an injury to their starting quarterback on eve of their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tua Tagovailoa went down with an apparent injury at Atlanta's practice on Thursday, Sept. 10, according to multiple reports. The quarterback hunched over after attempting a pass and reached for his back before sitting on the ground and receiving medical attention.
Below is a look at the moment Tagovailoa suffered the injury.
Tagovailoa was unable to continue practicing.
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush told reporters following practice he handled all of the first-team reps with the 28-year-old signal-caller out of action.
Here's what to know about Tagovailoa's injury and how it could impact him ahead of the Falcons' Week 1 matchup against the Steelers.
Tua Tagovailoa injury update
The Falcons added Tagovailoa to their official injury report following Thursday's practice. They listed him as a "limited" participant because of an oblique injury.
The Falcons did not provide any further updates on Tagovailoa's status beyond their injury report listing.
Who is Tua Tagovailoa's backup?
Cooper Rush is currently listed as Atlanta's top backup behind Tagovailoa. The 32-year-old vetearn signed with the Falcons on July 29 to provide experienced depth behind Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., who is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2025 NFL season.
Rush has a career record of 9-7 as a starter and has completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He spent the 2026 campaign with the Baltimore Ravens, logging an 0-2 record and a 48.8 passer rating during two underwhelming starts in Lamar Jackson's stead.
Falcons QB depth chart
Below is the current pecking order in Atlanta's quarterback room, according to the team's official depth chart:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Cooper Rush
- Jack Strand
- Michael Penix Jr.
When healthy, Penix figures to push Tagovailoa for playing time. The 2024 first-round pick was a full participant in Thursday's practice, but the Falcons have been cautious in bringing him back from yet another significant knee injury.
Strand, an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, is the wild card of the group. He starred in the preseason, completing 66.7% of his passes for 306 yards, one touchdown and one interception, which helped him to earn a spot on Atlanta's 53-man roster. He may open the season as Atlanta's emergency, third-string quarterback but could be elevated to backup duty if Tagovailoa and Penix are unable to play in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tua Tagovailoa injury update as Falcons QB hurts oblique at practice
