Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Tua Tagovailoa the starting quarterback for the team's 2026 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but questions remain about the status of Michael Penix Jr. Despite being cleared for contact a few weeks ago, Penix will be inactive for Week 1.
The third-year quarterback met with reporters following Monday's practice and said he told Stefanski he was not where needed to be to play in Sunday's game.
"I had that conversation and I just told him 'I'm not where I want to be right now,'" Penix explained. "I want to be able to be 100 percent so I can help this team win football games. And I'm really close."
Watch Penix speak to reporters below, as shared by Falcons beat reporter D. Orlando Ledbetter
below.
#Falcons QB Michael Penix on his return to play. pic.twitter.com/qv9IDF5mEI
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@BowTieSportsGuy) September 7, 2026
Stefanski met with the media before Monday's practice and praised Penix for how hard he's been working to get back. The Falcons head coach also clarified that Tagovailoa was not being named the starter for the duration of the season and that he would keep the decision week-to-week.
"Tua will start, Cooper Rush will be the backup, Mike Penix will be inactive," said Stefanski. "Mike is getting better and better and better. I'm very proud of him for how far he's come. But this will continue to be something that we work together with Mike. We are all on the same page, which is great."
We'll find out if the Falcons are really on the same page when they face the Steelers on the road this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: What Falcons QB Michael Penix said about his status for Week 1
