Tua Tagovailoa to Start Falcons Preseason Finale as Quarterback Battle Remains Open

The Atlanta Falcons will turn to Tua Tagovailoa to lead the offense in their final preseason outing this Friday against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the decision on Wednesday, noting that Tagovailoa will get the start against his former team, with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand expected to see action later in the contest.

While the starting lineup for the preseason finale is set, the organization remains undecided regarding who will take the field as the primary quarterback for the Week 1 regular-season opener. Stefanski indicated that the coaching staff is still evaluating their options as players continue to return from various health setbacks that have impacted the team's preparation throughout the summer.

Stefanski emphasized that the decision regarding the Week 1 starter remains fluid, noting that the team is prioritizing the availability of their personnel. The head coach explained that the evaluation process has been complicated by injuries, including Tagovailoa’s back issue at the start of training camp and Penix’s recovery timeline. While there is no firm deadline for naming the starter, Stefanski noted that a decision will be finalized when necessary, expressing satisfaction with the overall progress shown by the quarterback group despite the disrupted schedule.