TuaTagovailoa

Tom Christ·Sep 19

Injury: Right oblique injury Expected Time Missed: Doubtful for Week 2, potential to return in Week 3 Tua does not appear ready to return

after injuring his oblique while throwing. The obliques play a major role in the throwing motion, helping rotate and stabilize the torso as force travels from the ground, through the hips and trunk, and finally into the throwing arm. Because throwing repeatedly loads this rotational system, even a relatively minor oblique injury can make it difficult for a quarterback to generate force comfortably. Oblique injuries usually heal well, so Tua should be back relatively soon. However, he did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful, making a Week 2 return unlikely. Cooper Rush will start this week, but Tua’s absence could eventually open the door for Michael Penix Jr. to reclaim the job once Penix is cleared to return from his knee injury.

Marc Raimondi·Sep 13

Rush experienced back spasms Saturday, but he will still start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced. Rush was named the starter Friday after Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out due to an oblique issue. Michael Penix Jr., who is still coming back from a torn left ACL last November, will be listed as inactive. Tagovailoa grabbed at his side or back Thursday after a pass during the media viewing portion of Falcons practice. Tagovailoa took a seat on the grass before jogging off. Rush ended up getting all the reps with the first-team offense Thursday and then again Friday with Tagovailoa out. The Falcons named Tagovailoa as the starter last Monday with Penix saying he was not yet ready for live game action. Penix was only cleared for full practices Aug. 24 after missing 11-on-11 team periods for most of camp. Penix did not play at all in the preseason, either. Atlanta signed Rush on July 29, the first day of training camp.