All articles tagged with #michael penix jr
Tagovailoa’s standout summer in camp and the early preseason has upended Atlanta's plan to start him immediately, with Ian Rapoport saying Michael Penix Jr. now has the starting job to lose as he earns first-team reps; the Falcons remain in flux heading into Week 1, and a final preseason matchup with the Dolphins could seal the decision.
Falcons fans are debating whether to move on from Tua Tagovailoa after a rocky preseason, with talk that Atlanta could cut him in favor of Michael Penix Jr. or other younger options. Critics cite inconsistent play, a dropped snap, leadership concerns, and Tagovailoa’s injury history, while supporters say he remains a proven starter with upside. The piece notes that a trade or even retirement could be on the table, underscoring the broader debate about Tagovailoa’s fit and future.
The Falcons hoped Tua Tagovailoa would start while Michael Penix Jr. recovered from ACL surgery, but camp and the first preseason game have flipped the script, with Ian Rapoport indicating Penix has the job to lose and Tagovailoa’s inconsistent play making Penix the likely Week 1 starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Michael Penix Jr. logged a heavy workload in Monday’s Falcons practice, though the session was non-padded with no contact; Atlanta is managing his workload ahead of the preseason finale vs. the Dolphins, while coach Stefanski emphasized getting Penix in the huddle and continuing his development. Penix connected with Pitts and Drake London, showed mobility when pressured, and the staff stressed immediate corrections as they evaluate QB depth for the regular season.
Fully cleared after an ACL injury, Michael Penix Jr. enters a real quarterback competition with Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta, as the Falcons begin 11-on-11 practice and a crucial three-week evaluation ahead of the Sept. 13 opener vs. the Steelers, with Penix’s live arm drawing attention even as Tagovailoa remains the favorite.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been cleared to return to 11-on-11 work, per his head coach, in NFL.com’s latest roundup that also notes a slew of preseason injuries and other league updates, including roster moves and a Ravens tribute to O.J. Brigance.
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a quiet preseason debut vs. the Broncos, going 3 of 5 for 22 yards with a 70.4 passer rating and two punts on his two drives, including a fumbled shotgun snap he recovered. Michael Penix Jr. remains out and not yet cleared on the depth chart while he recovers from ACL. Atlanta opens the regular season Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh, a move linked to last season’s benching of Tua in Pittsburgh and the Dolphins’ decision to pay him over $50 million to join the Falcons.
On Day 12 of Falcons training camp, coach Kevin Stefanski named Tua Tagovailoa the preseason starter against the Broncos, with the starters likely to play about a series. Michael Penix Jr. is progressing with his knee injury, and Aveion Terrell, Bralen Trice, and Da’Shawn Hand are rehabbing injuries but aren’t expected to be long-term. Cooper Rush will back up Tagovailoa, and Jack Strand will finish the game; Jessie Bates is improving, Jawaan Taylor was active in football activities, and a vanilla game plan is planned for Friday. The Falcons will hold a walkthrough tomorrow, then travel for joint practices with the Colts in Indianapolis next week, and a Week 1 depth chart has been released.
NFL training camps spotlight four QB battles for Week 1 of 2026: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota (Murray favored to win), Tua Tagovailoa vs. Michael Penix Jr. (Penix hobbled by ACL rehab while Tagovailoa deals with a minor back issue, keeping Tagovailoa ahead), Deshaun Watson vs. Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland (Sanders gaining traction but Watson’s longer track record keeps him in the mix), and Kirk Cousins vs. Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas (Cousins as the starter with Mendoza on a patient development path). The piece also flags veterans like Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith, and Malik Willis as players who must prove their worth to secure future roles. Predictions: Murray, Tagovailoa, Watson, and Cousins win Week 1 starts, with Mendoza waiting in the wings.
Minicamps closed with five key takeaways: Joe Burrow exudes confidence that the Bengals can be elite this season; Michael Penix Jr. has not yet been cleared for 11-on-11 work and faces a tight competition with Tua Tagovailoa in Atlanta, with Stefanski saying no jobs will be handed out in June; Xavier Worthy could emerge for the Chiefs as a playmaking option as Rashee Rice’s injuries/suspensions loom and Mahomes returns; Dallas’s RB2 role remains unsettled among Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah; Jacksonville’s Tanner Koziol has opened eyes as a larger receiving tight end, signaling a potential shift to more TE usage for the Jaguars.
The Falcons opened mandatory minicamp with a practice at Flowery Branch where Michael Penix Jr., rehabbing from ACL surgery, participated in individual work and a 7-on-7 segment but was held out of full-team drills; he said daily improvements could lead to 11-on-11 participation at training camp pending medical clearance. Bralen Trice returned to the field in 11-on-11, Jawaan Taylor worked with trainers off to the side, and several others (linebackers Andersen, Malone, Bertrand, Daniels; safeties Watts, Hellams; nickel Bowman Jr.) sat out. Casey Washington and Harold Perkins Jr. showed promising play and Tyler Goodson impressed at running back as six tryout players joined minicamp, with James Pearce Jr. returning to practice.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has not been cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills as he rehabs a knee injury, while Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will be limited at minicamp due to knee soreness. The roundup also notes Wanya Morris's trade to Atlanta and a slate of signings (Kaden Davis with the Bears, Erik Ezukanma with the Eagles, Chris Glaser with the Cowboys, Jacoby Windmon with the Steelers), plus other minicamp updates (Justin Herbert throwing all three days; Cade Klubnik sidelined with back spasms; Cam Ward shoulder status; Ifeatu Melifonwu working out with the Titans).
At Falcons OTAs under coach Kevin Stefanski, rookie Zachariah Branch flashed speed and playmaking, drawing praise from teammate Michael Penix Jr.; the QB competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa remains tight with limited 11-on-11 work and careful snap management. The session offered a glimpse at depth across defense and offense, noted Brian Robinson Jr. as a complement to Bijan Robinson, and provided injury updates (Bralen Trice, Troy Andersen, Billy Bowman Jr., Avieon Terrell on the side field, Kendal Daniels in a boot). The Falcons wrap up another practice Thursday ahead of a six-session run into mid-June.
Former Alabama football player Luther Davis allegedly impersonated NFL stars Michael Penix Jr., Xavier McKinney and David Njoku to obtain nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans, with CJ Evins also planning to plead guilty. The scheme involved fake Georgia-registered companies, forged IDs, and Davis even attending loan closings in disguise, ultimately securing about $11.6 million under the athletes’ identities; a civil case linked to one of the loans proceeds to trial in July 2026.
Tua Tagovailoa signs a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons and enters a camp competition with Michael Penix Jr., stressing that he loves competition and is eager to play with the Falcons’ offense while navigating health concerns from his Dolphins tenure; he cites Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and Drake London as weapons as he aims to prove his value in 2026 under Stefanski’s offense.