Dan Orlovsky Warns Tua Tagovailoa After Falcons Rule Him Out for Week 1

Tua Tagovailoa has suffered an early setback with the Atlanta Falcons after an oblique injury ruled him out of the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tagovailoa had been named Atlanta’s starting quarterback for the beginning of the 2026 NFL season. With Michael Penix Jr. also unavailable, the veteran was expected to take charge of the Falcons offense in the opening game.

However, Tagovailoa was forced to leave Thursday’s practice early after experiencing discomfort. Further evaluation confirmed the oblique injury, and Atlanta subsequently ruled him out of the season opener.

Cooper Rush Gets Chance to Start for Falcons

With Tagovailoa unavailable, the Falcons have turned to veteran quarterback Cooper Rush. The ninth-year quarterback will start against the Steelers, giving him an important opportunity to establish himself in Atlanta’s quarterback competition.

Rush has previous starting experience in the NFL and could now find himself in an even bigger role depending on how he performs in Week 1.

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes that possibility creates an uncertain situation for Tagovailoa. Speaking on NFL on ESPN, Orlovsky questioned whether Tagovailoa will automatically regain his starting position once he is healthy.

Orlovsky pointed out that Rush has an opportunity to impress while Penix continues his recovery. If Rush performs well, Atlanta may have little reason to immediately change its quarterback.

“If Cooper Rush plays well, Atlanta’s not going to put Tua back on the field just to put him back on the field,” Orlovsky said.

Michael Penix Jr. Could Also Change the Situation

Tagovailoa’s injury is made more complicated by the status of Michael Penix Jr. The young quarterback is also recovering from an injury and is not available to start in Week 1.

Orlovsky believes Penix’s eventual return could create another challenge for Tagovailoa. If Rush performs well in the short term and Penix becomes healthy soon afterward, the Falcons could have several options to consider at quarterback.

The former NFL quarterback therefore raised a major question about Tagovailoa’s future with Atlanta: how will he get back onto the field and reclaim his role?

Tua Tagovailoa Has Experienced a Difficult Period

Tagovailoa enters his time with the Falcons after a challenging period in his NFL career. The quarterback dealt with multiple concussion-related issues during his time with the Miami Dolphins and was released by the team in March following a disappointing 2025 campaign.

Atlanta subsequently signed Tagovailoa to a one-year contract worth $1.215 million. The move gave the veteran another opportunity to compete for a starting position and revive his career.

Across six NFL seasons, Tagovailoa has thrown for 18,166 yards and 120 touchdowns. His experience and previous production were key reasons Atlanta viewed him as a viable option at quarterback.

Ryan Wilson Questions Whether Rush Is a Downgrade

Another NFL analyst has also discussed Atlanta’s quarterback situation following Tagovailoa’s injury.

On NFL on CBS, Ryan Wilson examined whether the Falcons have a significantly weaker chance of beating Pittsburgh with Rush instead of Tagovailoa.

Wilson argued that Rush’s experience means the difference may not be as significant as some might expect. The veteran has previously started games for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens and understands what is required to manage an NFL offense.

However, Wilson also stressed that Rush is viewed as a short-term solution rather than Atlanta’s long-term answer at quarterback.

The bigger question for the Falcons could therefore extend beyond Week 1. Once Penix returns, the team will have to determine which quarterback gives it the best opportunity to succeed over the remainder of the season.

Falcons Quarterback Situation Remains Uncertain

Atlanta’s quarterback plans have already changed several times. The team entered the previous season with Penix as the starter and Kirk Cousins as his backup.

Penix’s season ended after he suffered an injury in Week 11, forcing Cousins to take over as the starting quarterback. Atlanta eventually finished third in the NFC South with an 8-9 record.

Now, the Falcons have another quarterback dilemma before the new season has even properly begun. Tagovailoa’s injury has opened the door for Rush, while Penix remains part of the long-term discussion.

For Tagovailoa, recovering from the injury is only part of the challenge. As Orlovsky highlighted, Rush’s performance in Week 1 could have a direct impact on how Atlanta handles its quarterback situation when Tagovailoa is ready to return.

The Falcons will therefore be watching Rush closely against the Steelers, while Tagovailoa faces an unexpected battle to regain his place at the top of the depth chart.