The Atlanta Falcons have pressed the pause button on their starting quarterback battle to begin training camp.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa will miss the start of camp due to a minor back injury, according to team reporter Will McFadden.
However, Stefanski said Tagovailoa is expected to be back "sooner than later."
Tagovailoa should return to practice next week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The one-time Pro Bowler joined the Falcons this offseason after spending six years with the Miami Dolphins. He passed for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions in Miami.
Stefanski also said that the Falcons' medical staff has not cleared Michael Penix Jr. for full participation at practice as he continues to rehab his knee injury. Penix underwent surgery in November after partially tearing his ACL in a game against the Carolina Panthers.
The third-year signal-caller shared an updated timeline of his recovery.
"I was told ... another four weeks, possibly going into that next stage," Penix said, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Daniel Flick. "But at the same time, it could be earlier. It just depends on how my body is doing throughout this whole camp process."
"I've been feeling really good. I feel like I can do everything, but I have to still be smart about it. I can't afford to have somebody trip and fall and land on me right now," Penix added, per The Athletic's Josh Kendall.
Stefanski is optimistic that it's just a matter of time before Penix receives full medical clearance to join 11-on-11 drills.
"We'll get to that point. We're not there yet," Stefanski said during an appearance on 92.9 The Game, per team reporter Tori McElhaney.
With their top passers sidelined, the Falcons signed veteran Cooper Rush on Wednesday. He joins rookie undrafted free agent Jack Strand as the only available quarterbacks to begin camp. Atlanta also released Trevor Siemian on Wednesday.
