Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa leaves practice with an oblique injury

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left practice Thursday with an oblique injury. During a media-accessible portion, he bent over in clear discomfort after throwing a pass and grabbed his right side, briefly dropping to the ground before trying to shake it off. It’s unclear whether he returned. The Falcons listed him as a limited participant. Tagovailoa’s first game with Atlanta is Sunday at Pittsburgh, the same stadium where he made his last start for Miami. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Tagovailoa will open the season as starter, with Cooper Rush as backup and Michael Penix Jr. inactive. Penix did not play in preseason due to recovery from a torn ligament in his left knee that ended his 2025 season.