Tua Tagovailoa limited in practice after injuring oblique just days before Week 1 start

After waiting the entire preseason, the Atlanta Falcons finally named Tua Tagovailoa as the team's starting quarterback in Week 1. A few days later, and that status could be in jeopardy.

Tagovailoa sustained an oblique injury during practice Thursday. After touching his back and sitting on the ground, Tagovailoa did not throw again in the portion of practice attended by the media.

Footage of the injury shows Tagovailoa gingerly taking a few steps away from the action before sitting in the grass. He was able to get up shortly after and jogged down the field.

Since Tagovailoa appeared to grab his back at first, many thought he re-aggravated a back injury he dealt with back in July. That injury caused Tagovailoa to miss time early in training camp . But it sounds as though Thursday was a new issue for the quarterback.

Falcons backup Cooper Rush filled in for Tagovailoa after the injury. After practice, Rush said he took every rep with the starters Thursday.

Before Thursday, Tagovailoa's grasp on a starting spot was in question. Michael Penix Jr. reportedly pushed Tagovailoa for that role, but Penix still needs more time to recover after tearing his ACL last season.

Once Penix is healthy — and he was listed as a full participant in practice Thursday — it's unclear whether the Falcons will still stick with Tagovailoa. Prior to the injury scare Thursday, a report emerged suggesting the Falcons would release Tagovailoa if/when he loses his starting role . That doesn't paint the rosiest picture just days before Tagovailoa is set to make his first start.

Tagovailoa's fall from grace in the NFL has come quickly . After leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023, injuries have limited Tagovailoa's upside in recent seasons. He sustained yet another concussion early in 2024, prompting concern for his future in the NFL. Tagovailoa was able to return and play after the concussion and still managed to post solid numbers.

But things regressed in 2025. Tagovailoa threw 20 touchdowns against 15 interceptions in 14 games before he was benched. Once the season was over, the Dolphins decided to cut Tagovailoa, who carried a massive dead-cap hit.

That paved the way for Tagovailoa to sign with the Falcons in the offseason. While he ultimately won the starting job, things haven't gone well for the veteran in his short time with his new franchise.