Tua Tagovailoa will start the Atlanta Falcons' preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins on Friday night, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday.
Michael Penix Jr., who has returned to 11-on-11 work at practice after being medically cleared on Saturday, will remain sidelined from game action and won't play. Stefanski also said the rest of the offensive starters will suit up, including wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson.
Tagovailoa and Penix are battling for the No. 1 quarterback role, and Stefanski hasn't committed to when he'll announce a Week 1 starter. The head coach told reporters it's still uncertain if Penix will be healthy enough to play in Week 1.
Penix tore his ACL last November after starting nine games for Atlanta during the campaign. The 2024 first-round pick went 3-6, throwing for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Among 33 qualifying quarterbacks in 2025, Penix ranked 24th in passer rating and 30th in completion percentage, according to TruMedia.
Tagovailoa started the first preseason game, completing 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards. He signed a one-year contract with the Falcons during the offseason after being released by the Miami Dolphins. He was benched for the final three contests of the 2025 campaign and ranked 26th in EPA/dropback while throwing the second-most interceptions in the league with 15.
Atlanta will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in its regular-season opener on Sept. 13.
