Inside track to Week 1 start, per Fowler
Tagovailoa has the "inside track" to be named the Falcons' starting quarterback ahead of Week 1, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Helping Tagovailoa's cause so far in training camp has been his accuracy, though Michael Penix's ongoing recovery from the torn ACL he suffered Week 11 of last season has contained him to 7-to-7 drills, at best, in practice. Fowler noted that coach Kevin Stefanski "might wait this out until after the preseason to name a starter," so it appears he'll make Tagovailoa earn the role on his merits. Tagovailoa is slated to start Friday's exhibition against the Broncos, which may help him stake a claim to the eventual No. 1 role.
More Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football News
Brian Robinson
Handles nine carries in Week 1
Robinson rushed nine times for 31 yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Kyle Pitts Sr.
Blanked in season-opening loss
Pitts failed to bring in his only target in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Cooper Rush
Scuffles in Week 1 spot start
Rush completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Drake London
Quiet day with backup QB
London brought in two of four targets for 29 yards and rushed once for six yards in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Bijan Robinson
Bright spot in Week 1 loss
Robinson rushed 21 times for 83 yards and brought in eight of 10 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 20-13 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. He also committed two fumbles, losing neither and recovering one.
Cooper Rush
Active for Week 1
Rush (back) is listed as active against the Steelers on Sunday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Michael Penix Jr.
Eyeing return for Week 2 or 3
Penix (knee) will be out for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh but is targeting Week 2 or 3 for his 2026 debut, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Cooper Rush
Back feeling better ahead of Week 1 start
Rush reported improvement after experiencing back spasms Saturday and remains on track to start the Falcons' season opener Sunday versus the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Cooper Rush
Will start Week 1 despite back spasms
Rush (back) experienced back spasms Saturday but still will start Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Zachariah Branch
In clear for Sunday
Branch (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Pittsburgh, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.