Falcons coach says Tua Tagovailoa will start preseason game, starter for regular season undecided
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start the preseason matchup against the Denver Broncos, while head coach Kevin Stefanski has not yet designated a Week 1 starter.
Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa will open Friday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Stefanski said the decision does not determine the regular-season starter, adding that the team will evaluate performances before naming a Week 1 quarterback.
"Looking forward to Tua getting his first action in the game in this system," Stefanski said, noting the rookie will be learning the Falcons' system and that starters are expected to play only a series or about ten plays.
Cooper Rush is scheduled to play after Tagovailoa, with Jack Strand slated as the third-string quarterback. Tagovailoa has been competing with Michael Penix Jr. during the offseason, but Penix remains unavailable for full-team drills after recovering from an ACL tear suffered last November.