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

The NFL season is only six weeks away, and Danny Parkins, Greg Jennings, and Eric Mangini discuss the biggest stories from training camp.

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.

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Tua Tagovailoa of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTAs at IBM Performance Field May 27, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Getty Images)

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 of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTAs at IBM Performance Field May 27, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Getty Images)

"I have a long injury history," Penix, who