Michael Penix Jr. Injury Update Revealed in New NFL Rumors After Tua Named Falcons' QB1

While the Atlanta Falcons officially named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starting quarterback over Michael Penix Jr., it sounds like Penix remains on track in his recovery from a torn ACL.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated , Penix "has been fully cleared," but the third-year signal-caller is "still working his way back from the injury, so Atlanta's being careful here."

"This isn't Tua Tagovailoa beating him out," Breer stated. "More so, it's about Penix's readiness."

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski later told reporters that Penix will be inactive on Sunday.

Penix was forced to undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a partially torn ACL in November. He didn't play in any of Atlanta's three preseason games, and he wasn't cleared to participate in 11-on-11 team drills until the final week of training camp. Still, the 26-year-old told reporters prior to the preseason finale last month that he feels healthy enough to start in Week 1.

This marks the sixth straight year that Atlanta will open the season with a new starting quarterback.

The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year deal after he was released by the Miami Dolphins, who took on a whopping $99.2 million in dead cap to get him off their roster. He started two of Atlanta's preseason games, going 3-of-5 for 22 yards against the Denver Broncos and 7-of-8 for 95 yards against the Dolphins. He fumbled a snap in both outings, and ESPN's Marc Raimondi noted that the six-year veteran "was unable to push the ball downfield with regularity, which was also an issue in training camp practices."

For now, it will be Tagovailoa running the show for the Falcons as he tries to prove he can be a dependable starting quarterback, but Penix should eventually get the chance to reclaim his spot as Atlanta's QB1.