The Miami Dolphins released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in March. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 29 (UPI) — Tua Tagovailoa said he is not “worried about” his status in the Atlanta Falcons‘ quarterback battle after a preseason win Friday over the Miami Dolphins.
The Falcons quarterback completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards and lost a fumble in the 17-12 triumph over his former team in Miami Gardens, Fla.
He finished the preseason 10 of 13 for 117 yards, without a touchdown toss or interception, and has battled fumbling issues in his two appearances. He remains entrenched in a battle with Michael Penix Jr. for starting consideration.
“I don’t think that’s something I should worry about,” Tagovailoa said, when asked if he thinks he performed well enough this preseason to be named the starter.
“That’s not my job. That’s [general manager] Ian Cunningham’s job. That’s [coach] Kevin Stefanski’s job. Thats [offensive coordinator] Tommy Rees’ job.
“My job is to go out there and put points on the board for our guys. Everything else is out of my control. You’ve gotta put things into perspective, too.”
Boos rained down on the six-year veteran as he took his first snap as a visiting NFL player at Hard Rock Stadium. Tagovailoa, who was cut in March, said he heard the fans’ hostile reaction, but called the night “a cool homecoming.”
“I had six years here,” Tagovailoa said. “Those are probably some of the best six years of my life. Being able to play for Miami, being able to be in front of the crowd. I had a Pro Bowl here, had a good amount of accolades. Regardless of the reaction, I love the city. … It is what it is.”
Tagovailoa greeted former teammates before and after Friday’s contest. He said he experienced “mixed emotions” in the moments surrounding the game. Stefanski credited the veteran, whom the Dolphins are paying $52.7 million this season, for his ability to “compartmentalize.”
The Falcons, who never trailed Friday, scored twice in the first half to take command. All of the Dolphins’ dozen points came from Riley Patterson field goals.
Tagovailoa was in for three possessions, starting with a touchdown drive. The Falcons fumbled on his final two drives, including one off an exchange he had with center Corey Levin.
All of his pass completions were within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored off a 3-yard first-quarter run for the first points of the night. Cooper Rush connected with tight end Jack Velling on a 3-yard second-quarter toss for the game’s only other touchdown.
Stefanski declined to say if Tagovailoa and Penix would continue to split starting reps next week at practice. He cited pre-snap penalties and turnovers as areas of improvement for the Falcons.
“I thought Tua did a nice job operating,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, moved the football there for a couple drives. Plenty to clean up. An avoidable center/quarterback exchange. We have to clean that up and we will.”
Penix didn’t play this preseason, but has gotten more healthy ninth months removed from ACL surgery. Stefanski previously did not rule out starting a player who didn’t appear in a preseason game.
He called the status of the quarterback battle “day to day” earlier this week.
Falcons players will be in meetings and workouts Saturday. Tagovailoa said he plans to continue to ingest the Atlanta playbook amid his effort to improve.
“I don’t think you every really arrive,” Tagovailoa said. “I think when you feel like you arrive, you still haven’t arrived. So it’s continuing to look at the playbook, continuing to read it, envision it. Once I’m able to do that, we can continue to do whatever is next.”
The Dolphins, who were 0-3 this preseason, will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in their regular season opener Sept. 13 in Las Vegas. The Falcons, who went 2-1 in the preseason, will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 13 in Pittsburgh.
A young Jaguars fan celebrates the game as the Panthers compete against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday. The Panthers defeated the Jaguars 34-17. This is the second pre-season game of the 2026 season. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI. | License Photo
