The walls seem to be closing in on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa just three days from the team's Week 1 matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only are reports swirling about the QB's potential release, but Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury during Thursday's practice.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Cooper Rush takes over as QB1, Tua gets roasted by former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Chris Lindstrom restructures his contract, B/R lists Atlanta as potential trade destination Mac Jones, and we look at the full Thursday injury report.
Tua Tagovailoa injures oblique, Cooper Rush gets QB1 reps
Week 1 starter Tua Tagovailoa was a limited participant on Thursday due to an oblique issue. The veteran QB was spotted sitting on the ground in pain holding his back during practice. Tagovailoa got
up and jogged it off shortly after, though.
Nonetheless, third-string quarterback Cooper Rush took all of the first-team reps after Tua went down. Rush would be the starter if Tagovailoa can't play on Sunday, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand would be next in line to play in Week 1.
#WATCH: I happened to catch the moment #Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa went down briefly during the open portion of #Falcons practice
— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) September 10, 2026
He stood off to the side for the rest of the period we were able to watch. https://t.co/VyzfRrzond pic.twitter.com/sIO2CtmOkF
B/R lists Falcons as potential landing spot for Mac Jones
The Atlanta Falcons don't have a clear starter going into Week 1, despite the fact that there are four quarterbacks currently on the roster. One way the Falcons could upgrade their situation is via trade - and they have been pegged as a potential destination for Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers by Bleacher Report.
"Teams that do view Jones as a potential QB1 could look to make a preemptive trade to acquire him now—which would open up the possibility to use the franchise tag for an audition in 2027. Jones is obviously a valuable backup behind Brock Purdy, but the 49ers should be willing to trade him for a price. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported that San Francisco was looking for a second-round pick and more early in the offseason. The market for Jones will peak if and when another contender loses its starting quarterback to injury. However, QB-needy teams that are looking ahead could come calling, too." - Kristopher Knox, B/R
Falcons pegged as potential trade destination for 49ers QB
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 10, 2026
📸 Lachlan Cunningham, Getty Images https://t.co/AX1vULK39d pic.twitter.com/OuTamLn3II
Mike Tomlin confident Steelers will defeat Tua Tagovailoa
While it's clear that Tagovailoa needs to play well to keep the job, those around the NFL have strong doubts about his ability to do so. Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin roasted Tua during his NBC broadcast debut on Wednesday evening.
"It's less about Aaron for me and it's more about the quarterback on the other side," Tomlin said of Tagovailoa. "His last visit to Pittsburgh didn't go well. I was in the stadium that day. They lost. He got benched. So I think it's going to be a good day for Mike McCarthy, Patrick Graham, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and company."
Mike Tomlin was brutally honest about Tua Tagovailoa, who the Steelers play Sunday:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 10, 2026
“His last visit to Pittsburgh didn’t go well. I was in the stadium that day. They lost. He got benched. I think it’s gonna be a good day for Mike McCarthy & the Steelers.” pic.twitter.com/UmoAT2ONbn
Falcosn restructure Chris Lindstrom's contract, free up $11.76M
According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, the Falcons freed up $11.76 million in salary cap space by restructuring Chris Lindstrom's contract. The team added another voided year to his deal and converted a portion of his salary into a signing bonus.
"In a move designed to maximize salary cap carryover for 2027 and increase their flexibility for 2026 the Falcons have created $11.76 million in cap room with a restructure of Chris Lindstrom’s contract. The team converted $14.7 million of his salary into a bonus and added an additional void year to maximize the proration of the bonus. The move reduced his 2026 salary cap number by $11.76 million. His cap number in all future years will increase by $2.94 million." - Over The Cap
After restructuring Lindstrom's deal, the Falcons reportedly have around $33 million in cap space available. That's the third-most in the entire NFL. So what will the team look to do with that cash?
Falcons free up nearly $12 million in cap space by restructuring Chris Lindstrom's contract.
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 10, 2026
📸 Todd Kirkland, Getty Images https://t.co/wDRFlqI6q5 pic.twitter.com/MRjsytVDC5
Falcons Week 1 injury report: Thursday updates
Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was added to the injury report with an Achilles injury on Thrusday. Atlanta's new starting linebacker was listed as a limited participant. Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (shoulder) and offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) were both held out of Thursday's practice. Check out the Falcons' full Week 1 injury report below.
- DE Za'Darius Smith (shoulder): DNP
- OT Jawaan Taylor (knee): DNP
- QB Tua Tagovailoa (oblique): LP
- LB Kendal Daniels (Achilles): LP
- DB Billy Bowman (Achilles): LP
- WR Zachariah Branch (hamstring): LP
- DL Brandon Dorlus (groin): LP
- DL Da'Shawn Hand (knee): LP
- QB Michael Penix (knee): FP
- OL Kyle Hinton (knee): FP
Falcons Week 1 injury report: Latest on Tua Tagovailoa vs. Steelers
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 10, 2026
📸 USA TODAY SPORTS https://t.co/y3QNrMdrQX pic.twitter.com/wipJHp3QUF
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Cooper Rush replaces Tua, B/R lists QB trade target
