The Falcons opened training camp yesterday without their top two QBs in Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa had been dealing with back tightness, but he's back at practice today. Tagovailoa opened the day doing individual drills, so the back tightness doesn't appear to be a major issue. Penix and Tagovailoa are currently competing to open the season as the starter.
What They're Saying: Individual Work Resumes
Marc Raimondi, ESPN: “Tua Tagovailoa out at practice today. Tagovailoa is back doing some individuals this morning.”
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Tua Has the Edge
Neither Falcons QB is particularly exciting for fantasy, even with WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson around them. Robinson is currently “holding in” at camp.
Tagovailoa's quick return should give him an edge over Penix.
Penix is about eight months removed from his knee surgery and told the media on Wednesday that he expects to be cleared in about four weeks. That'd be a little over two weeks before the Falcons kick off its season against the Steelers.
Barring further back issues, Tagovailoa remains the better bet for the Week 1 start. This still looks like a low-upside, uncertain situation, leaving neither Tagovailoa nor Penix as an appealing QB3 target in best-ball or superflex drafts.
