Tua Tagovailoa Gives Injury Update, Updates Timeline for Full Return to Falcons Training Camp

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke to reporters Friday, updating his condition as he continues to work through a back injury.

Tagovailoa said he believes his absence is precautionary and that if it were a game week, he would "likely" be able to play.

"I think just right now it's just a precaution thing early on in camp, and then we'll work through that," Tagovailoa said. "But I feel great right now. And like I said, it feels good to be out there with the guys, be able to throw, continue to hear the plays, get in the huddle with the guys."

However, Tagovailoa said he was uncertain when he would be able to return to full team practice sessions.

Tagovailoa did individual drills during Thursday's session, one day after head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed the quarterback's back injury.

This has left the Falcons down to No. 3 quarterback Trevor Siemian with the first-string offense in camp right now because Michael Penix Jr. is also not participating in team drills while recovering from ACL surgery. Penix told reporters Wednesday that it could be another four weeks before he's fully cleared.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons are also signed Cooper Rush for additional depth.

Injuries—and namely concussions—have been a major part of Tagovailoa's NFL career. The 2023 Pro Bowler has missed three or more games in every season except 2023, when he set career highs in passing yards (4,624) and touchdowns (29) while leading the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs.

The Dolphins made the postseason twice in the Tagovailoa era, though he only appeared in the 2023 edition. In total, he threw for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions across six seasons for the Dolphins, going 44-32 as the starter.

But after a pair of losing seasons the Dolphins made wholesale changes, firing head coach Mike McDaniel and cutting ties with a number of veterans, including Tagovailoa and wideout Tyreek Hill.

The Falcons signed him in the offseason to provide competition for Penix, who struggled in 2025, his first season as the primary starter (1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, three interceptions, 60.1 completion percentage, 3-6 record). For his flaws as a quarterback, especially with turnovers, Tagovailoa's accuracy has always been a strength.

It's still early days in training camp, so there's no immediate cause for alarm. But the injury history for Tagovailoa does make this a situation to monitor as the Falcons prepare for their preseason opener on Aug. 14 against the Denver Broncos.