Falcons quarterback competition takes early hit as Tua Tagovailoa suffers 'flare-up' in training camp

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Not even one full week into NFL training camp, one team is already dealing with quarterback injury woes.

The Atlanta Falcons’ Tua Tagovailoa, acquired this offseason to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting role, had a “flare-up” of an undisclosed injury, new head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters.

Stefanski didn’t divulge what exactly Tagovailoa is dealing with, but he had to be sidelined. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back.

Stefanski did note that he believes Tagovailoa will return to practice “sooner rather than later.”

With Penix Jr. still recovering from a torn ACL he sustained last season — he may miss the first four weeks of training camp — the Falcons signed veteran backup Cooper Rush to bolster the quarterback depth chart.

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The Falcons released Trevor Siemian earlier Wednesday, and after Tagovailoa’s injury, undrafted rookie free agent Jack Strand was the only healthy quarterback on the depth chart.

Penix was spotted doing individual drills and as 7-on-7 work with teammates, but he hasn’t seen any time in full team activities just yet.

Tua Tagovailoa runs through drills at IBM Performance Field.

“I have a long injury history,” Penix, who had four season-ending injuries during his time at Indiana before he transferred to Washington during his college days, said, via ESPN. “The last thing I want to do is rush back just to get back on the field.

“This is the third ACL. We’re not taking it lightly.”

Stefanski knows that injuries can occur when you least expect them, even at the start of training camp before full pads are strapped on.

The Falcons will be an interesting team to watch this season, not just because of the quarterback dilemma. The team’s new regime, which includes legendary quarterback Matt Ryan as team president of football, is looking to get the team back into the playoffs.

Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa laugh during OTAs at IBM Performance Field.

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The Falcons have not had a playoff berth since 2017, when Ryan was still the franchise signal-caller. They also have not had a record at or above .500 since that same year.

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