The NFL preseason moves pretty quick. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it. The Atlanta Falcons are just hours away from playing their 2026 preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa will face off against his former team for the first time since being released back in March.
Tagovailoa is expected to receive a mixed reaction from Dolphins fans, but it's the Falcons fan base that he really needs to impress on Friday night. With Michael Penix Jr. sidelined, Tagovailoa has a golden opportunity to secure the starting job with a big performance.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Dolphins edge Chop Robinson looks forward to finally hitting Tua, ESPN lists Atlanta among the NFL's most boring franchises, Penix
eyes a Week 1 return, and the team reveals its latest uniform variation for Friday's preseason finale in Miami.
Chop Robinson licking chops to hit Tagovailoa on Friday
Robinson, a first-round pick out of Penn State, spent two seasons lining up across the line of scrimmage from Tagovailoa, but he never got to really hit his former quarterback in practice. Robinson hopes to change that on Friday when he faces Tua. He also called Tagovailoa a "great teammate" and wished him well in Atlanta.
It's going to be fun, especially since in practice, we couldn't hit him," said Robinson. "But now, it's a game. If I would not be able to hit him, I hope I get close to him. Again, he was a good guy - a great teammate. I wish him the best and I hope he's doing good over here."
Dolphins EDGE licking his chops to sack Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 27, 2026
📸 Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/F36kvQfHf3 pic.twitter.com/wWFUQJySqF
Michael Penix won't play vs. Dolphins, eyes Week 1 return
The Falcons' best hope then for a quality starter is in the form of Michael Penix Jr., who was just cleared for 11-on-11 drills four days ago and hasn't faced live competition since November. Penix won't be playing in Atlanta's preseason finale against Miami, either.
That's not a great sign for Penix's Week 1 readiness, but the third-year QB told reporters yesterday that he will be ready for the season opener physically and mentally - if he stays on track, per Atlanta reporter Maria Martin.
Michael Penix Jr. says if he stays on the track that he's on he will be ready for Week 1 mentally and physically.
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) August 26, 2026
ESPN thinks Falcons aren't very watchable
ESPN just came out with their annual "watchability" rankings for all 32 teams. Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears' explosive offense were ranked first. You won't find the Falcons until you scroll all the way down to No. 28 on the list, though.
"There is nothing more insurmountable in the watchability rankings than bad quarterback play. And it's looking like we might get that in Atlanta. Tua Tagovailoa has been unable to earn the starting job in camp, which sets up third-year pro Michael Penix Jr. -- fresh off an ACL recovery -- to see the field the moment he's healthy. If he can't go, it's Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush or undrafted free agent Jack Strand? (Strand actually seems kind of watchable given his preseason performances -- he's enormous and fast.)
ESPN puts Falcons low in watchability rankings
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 27, 2026
📸 Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images https://t.co/stOFOSWnhi pic.twitter.com/FG6VNY16QU
Falcons head coach in no rush to name starting QB
Asked when he would name a starting quarterback for the 2026 season on Wednesday, Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said he will wait until they tell him he has to decide. Clearly the two-time NFL Coach of the Year is in no hurry to make a decision.
"I’m honestly not trying to be coy," said Stefanski. "We will focus on what information is available to us. Every day you’re just trying to make decisions on who is available to you."
Kevin Stefanski in no rush to choose winner of Falcons QB battle
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 27, 2026
📸 Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/ozVcQo3OH2 pic.twitter.com/xhpprkgssZ
Falcons vs. Dolphins: Preseason uniforms revealed
As you can see below, the Falcons will wear their white uniforms for the second week in a row. However, this time they will wear them with black pants, white shoes and black helmets.
Fit check ✔️ pic.twitter.com/TaHGdi5qFm
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 27, 2026
Falcons vs. Dolphins: Preseason game details
- What: Preseason game vs. Miami Dolphins
- When: Friday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Friday's game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Fans in Atlanta can tune in locally on FOX. Otherwise, they might have to wait until the game is over for it to re-air on NFL Network.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Tua returns to Miami, Penix eyes Week 1 start
