Tua Tagovailoa Release Status, Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury Return Addressed in New Falcons Rumors

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t expected to part ways with veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa once their QB room is fully healthy, according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter.

The insiders reported Tagovailoa’s tenure “has become a topic for discussion,” but he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Tagovailoa is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers because of an oblique injury. Michael Penix Jr., meanwhile, is out altogether as he continues working his way back from a partially torn ACL.

Rapoport and Schefter reported Penix could be cleared to play the Green Bay Packers in Week 3.

Penix said this week he’s “close” to a return.

“I know I’ve been saying that, but there’s just a couple of technical things that I want to hit, some goals that I have that I want to achieve before I do stuff out on that field,” he said. “But I do feel really good, and we’re taking strides each and every day.”

Cooper Rush is in line to start Sunday for the second straight week. He went 12-of-22 for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Needless to say, the Falcons would benefit from having at least one of Penix or Tagovailoa available. In the case of the latter, Atlanta could have a motivation beyond trying to win games.

Tagovailoa counts for just $1.2 million against the salary cap this season and will be a free agent in 2027. Rapoport and Schefter presented a scenario where he regains some of his old form and becomes a valuable trade asset.

Assuming they’re pretty much out of the playoff race in another month, flipping the 2023 Pro Bowler for a draft pick would be a nice piece of business for the Falcons.

If Atlanta instead believes it can contend for a postseason place, then it can ill afford to go much longer with Rush as QB1.