By admin 
UPDATE:Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled OUT for Sunday. Cooper Rush will get the start.
Read more Rams Got Destroyed by 49ers, But Here’s What No One is Talking About
______________________________________________________________
The Pittsburgh Steelers received an interesting development this week when their Week 1 opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, saw their quarterback land on the injury report. Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with the Falcons this offseason, suffered an injury officially listed as an oblique injury. The injury has put his status for the season opener in doubt. However, another important piece of information surfaced Friday.
Marc Raimondi of ESPN reported on X that Tagovailoa was not spotted during the early portion of practice. It remains unclear whether he missed the entire session, but the report indicates that he was not suited up during the portion open to the media.
“Don’t see Tua Tagovailoa during the media viewing portion of practice,” Raimondi wrote on X.
Indication of Tagovailoa’s Status on Sunday?
It isn’t guaranteed, but Tagovailoa’s absence from the early portion of practice could indicate that he remains questionable for Sunday. An oblique injury can be difficult for a quarterback to manage because it affects hip rotation and core strength, both of which play a major role in throwing the football.
His status could ultimately come down to pain management and how he responds during walkthroughs and pregame warmups.
The bigger question is how comfortable head coach Kevin Stefanski feels about putting Tagovailoa on the field. If Stefanski believes Tagovailoa can operate effectively despite the injury, he could still play Sunday. However, if the Falcons have any concerns about his ability to protect himself and make throws, they could hold him out.
Read more Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Rayo Vallecano: Mbappe Leads Charge Again
That would leave Atlanta down two of its four rostered quarterbacks heading into Sunday.
Mike McCarthy May See Cooper Rush on Sunday
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy could see a familiar face on the opposing offense if Tagovailoa cannot play. Cooper Rush, whom McCarthy coached in Dallas from 2021 to 2024, has taken first-team reps based on Thursday’s practice reports.
With Michael Penix Jr. already ruled out, Rush and rookie Jack Strand are the remaining options. Strand went undrafted this year, making Rush the more likely choice to start if Tagovailoa cannot play.
The Falcons will arrive in Pittsburgh Saturday night ahead of Sunday’s afternoon kickoff. Tagovailoa still has a chance to take the field, but his absence from the early portion of Friday’s practice is another development to monitor.
Based on Raimondi’s report, Tagovailoa appears to be trending toward missing Sunday’s matchup, though his official status will ultimately determine whether he plays.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 10:25 AM.