The Atlanta Falcons, much like the other 31 NFL teams, are officially beginning training camp this week.
However, the difference between the Falcons and several other NFL teams, and even division rivals, is the fact that they don’t know who their QB will be to open up the 2026 season.
With Michael Penix Jr, still recovering from an ACL injury, one would assume it will be Tua Tagovailoa (who was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason), but now, unconfirmed rumors are surfacing that Tagovailoa is entering training camp with an “undisclosed injury,” which would be a cause for concern among the Falcons fan base.
Update: Tua’s ‘undisclosed injury’ is a slight back flare, and he is expected to return to practice ‘sooner than later’, according to HC Kevin Stefanski.
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Falcons Podcaster Claims There Are ‘No QBs Healthy’ for Start of Training Camp
GettyFLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 27: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTA’s at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
With training camp beginning, Falcons podcaster @BKsquared7 sparked panic within the Atlanta community with the following tweet.
@BKsquared7 writes: “Breaking: Tua Tagovailoa enters training camp with an undisclosed injury per source. No word on if Penix is clear either, but the words told to me were “…no healthy QBs to start camp.”
He then followed up with this message: “I see people freaking out and I get it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t given info on if it is a minor injury which it very well could be. We will have to wait for the official announcement.”
UPDATE: Later, the same Falcons podcaster deleted his original post and wrote the following on X.
“I’ve deleted the tweet regarding the injury to Tua Tagovailoa,” he said. “Without being certain what the injury is, it lead to mass panic and that was never my intention. I trust my source but need more info. I will be better for you guys. My apologies.”
As of now, it is unclear if Tagovailoa will enter training camp with an injury.
Tua Tagovailoa Poised to Enter Training Camp as Starter
GettyFLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 27: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTA’s at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
In 2025, Tua Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
By all accounts, he appears poised to enter training camp as the Falcons’ QB1 with Penix still working his way back from injury.
Tagovailoa impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp, taking the early lead in the competition. However, it’s really a one-horse race until Penix is deemed healthy enough for contact.
Tagovailoa was brought in as Penix insurance in NFL free agency. Needless to say, any preseason injury to the newcomer could be devastating to Atlanta’s playoff chances in 2026.
Deleted Tua Tagovailoa Injury Tweet Sparks Panic as Training Camp Begins