Tua Tagovailoa, navigating back 'flare up,' believes Falcons holding him out of full practices out of precaution
Tua Tagovailoa spoke Friday about his desire to keep bringing good vibes to the Atlanta Falcons as he addressed reporters during a training camp news conference. Throughout the 10-plus-minute media session, he beamed a smile.Tagovailoa appeared relaxed, despite the fact that hes in the midst of a quarterback competition with Michael Penix Jr. and regardless of his recent injury. But Tagovailoa referred to the adage of focusing on controlling what you can control and noted that he believes the Falcons are holding him out of full practices out of precaution early in training camp.That back tightness occurred sometime last week, according to the former Miami Dolphins signal-caller, who said the problem stems from a flare up.Both Tagovailoa and Penix were limited participants in Fridays practice. Tagovailoa, a 28-year-old one-time Pro Bowler coming off a six-season run with the Dolphins, took part in individual drills with other quarterbacks and completed a half-speed walkthrough with the offense late in practice, per ESPN, which reported that Tagovailoa didnt go through 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 sessions. Penix, a 26-year-old third-year pro still working his way back to 100% from a partially torn ACL that required season-ending surgery last year his fifth season-ending injury in the span of eight seasons between his college and NFL careers was in for individual drills and 7-on-7s on Friday, according to ESPN.I feel good, Tagovailoa said. It feels good to be out there with the guys, be able to get some reps out there a bit, get some 1-on-1 reps, still be able to throw it to the guys.Heres Michael Penix Jr. to Drake London, then Tua Tagovailoa to Chris Blair.Same concept. pic.twitter.com/DwttiZ00zb Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) July 31, 2026Tua Tagovailoa to Zachariah Branch #Falconspic.twitter.com/Xnd9G98P6a Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) July 31, 2026Tagovailoa is learning a new offense under Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. The Alabama product emphasized how even just hearing plays in his helmet and spitting them back in the huddle is formative right now. Rediscovering the flow and rhythm of that process is key, he explained. I dont think theres anything out there that you can try to do to simulate those unless Id have my wife try to do it, but, I mean, Im going to be like, Give me the paper. I dont think youre reading it right, Tagovailoa said jokingly. So, outside of that, I dont think you can sort of simulate things like that.While Tagovailoa and Penix were both sidelined on Thursday, the Falcons turned to undrafted rookie Jack Strand to pilot the first-team offense in training camps infancy. The Division II Minnesota StateMoorhead alum will be fighting for a roster spot this summer in a room that now includes Cooper Rush. Atlanta signed the journeyman backup earlier this week. As for Tagovailoa, he said Friday this is the first time hes had a back issue like this. Hes been receiving aquatic-based treatment to relieve the stress hes been experiencing.When he was asked if he has a sense of when hell be back on the field in a full capacity, he remarked that he doesnt, personally, have a timetable.But thats a conversation to have with the head coach and with our training staff, Tagovailoa said.With the preseason right around the corner, Tagovailoa is sticking to a stoic approach toward the position battle he finds himself in while on a one-year deal thats reportedly worth the league minimum.At the end of the day, youve got to allow the coaches to be able to do what they got to do, and all you can control is what you can control, he said. You go out there, you study, you do all the things you need to do be able to go out there and perform. And if the cards fall where they fall, then thats what youre dealt with at the end of the day.
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