Tua Tagovailoa will not start at quarterback Saturday in the Atlanta Falcons’ second preseason game; that much we know about the team’s quarterback hierarchy. And that’s about it with just over three weeks from the Falcons’ opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 13.
When will Michael Penix Jr. (knee) be allowed by doctors to practice fully? Unclear.
What does Tagovailoa have to show coach Kevin Stefanski to win the job? Uncertain.
When will Stefanski decide on the Week 1 starter against the Steelers? Unsure.
The Falcons play a preseason game at the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand and veteran Cooper Rush will get all the snaps at quarterback. Tagovailoa did his work in Indy already, participating in 11-on-11 team sessions in joint practices Wednesday and Thursday. Penix, as he has done in Flowery Branch, Georgia, worked in 7-on-7s.
Stefanski said he prefers to play starters in the first and third preseason games. Tagovailoa did not wow last week in a 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos, and he acknowledged that afterward. He’ll likely get a chance next week -- against his former team, the Miami Dolphins, at Hard Rock Stadium.
By then, maybe Penix is at least closer to being cleared for 11s in practice. He said early in training camp that he might be cleared in four weeks, which would be Wednesday. By then, maybe Stefanski is closer to choosing his Week 1 starter, too.
“You put thought into it, but also, those decisions and those type of things, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Stefanski said. “But in the meantime, feel very, very comfortable with what we’ve done to date. Feel really comfortable with the guys, the work they put in.”
Stefanski said Tagovailoa was “good” in joint practice against the Colts, but the team’s protection needed some cleaning up, and “the quarterback obviously plays a role in that, as well.” That was an issue in last week’s preseason game. Tagovailoa was 3-of-5 for 22 yards, and all four of his targets were short passes to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. Tagovailoa didn’t look completely comfortable, and the Broncos got plenty of pressure.
On Wednesday, Tagovailoa threw an interception and fumbled a snap. He also fumbled the second snap of the game last week against the Broncos.
Penix hasn’t faced any pressure other than a yoga ball the Falcons have used to simulate a pass rush during practices. Eventually, he will be back and competing for the starting job. Stefanski said he views every position -- every role -- as being up for grabs in a competition. And those competitions keep going throughout the season. If Penix isn’t ready for Week 1, it doesn’t mean he can’t get cleared and then do enough during the season to earn the spot.
Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt said Penix has looked “really good” in 7s, but he’s not ready for other players to be around his legs at this point.
“Throwing it really well right now,” Van Pelt said. “I love his footwork. We’ve done a lot of under-center work with him in these 7-on-7 periods to get him comfortable from under center. I’m just really proud of the way he’s progressed. Can’t wait for him to get back.”
Once he does, there will be more clarity. At least Tagovailoa and Penix will be operating as equals, able to do the same things. That should make it easier for Stefanski to judge, easier for him to make a decision on who gives the Falcons a better chance to win Week 1 and beyond.
But time is ticking and there’s no guarantee Penix will be back in time to start Week 1.
Tagovailoa was asked Wednesday if he thinks there’s enough time between now and the first game of the regular season to get where he wants to be operating this offense.
“Well, I don’t think you have a choice,” Tagovailoa said. “At the end of the day, when it’s game time, it’s game time. You better be ready.”
