Tua Tagovailoa’s Final Preseason Performance Earns Mixed Reviews for Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are breathing a bit easier regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as they prepare for the start of the regular season. Tagovailoa had previously struggled in the Falcons’ preseason opener, completing only 3-of-5 passes for 22 yards. However, in a final attempt to impress the coaching staff against his former team, the Miami Dolphins, he showed some improvement during his limited play time.
In one quarter of action, Tagovailoa connected on 7-of-8 passes for 95 yards, though he did not venture far downfield with any of his throws, opting for safer, shorter passes. His most notable play came on a throw behind the line of scrimmage to tight end Kyle Pitts Jr., who turned it into a remarkable 37-yard gain. Unfortunately, Tagovailoa’s performance was marred by a lost fumble on a center snap, an incident likely to concern the Falcons’ coaching staff.
The small crowd in Miami greeted Tagovailoa with boos as he led his first series, echoing the mixed emotions surrounding his departure from the Dolphins after being cut in the offseason following a difficult 2025 season. Miami faced an NFL record $99.2 million dead cap hit due to his release, split over two seasons.
As the Falcons’ starting quarterback, Tagovailoa steps in as Michael Penix Jr. works his way back from ACL surgery. With Penix’s status for Week 1 uncertain, Tagovailoa’s performance in the preseason finale took on added significance. Although he played it safe with his throws, making sound decisions on short passes, the Falcons will need him to be more aggressive when the regular season kicks off.
Tagovailoa, who was drafted fifth overall by the Dolphins in 2020, previously enjoyed a promising career, leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023 and making the Pro Bowl the same year. Nevertheless, concussions took a toll on his performance, prompting Miami’s decision to let him go. As he embarks on a one-year contract in Atlanta, he aims to rejuvenate his faltering career.
In his first series against the Dolphins, Tagovailoa executed a third-and-11 play by quickly delivering a screen pass to Pitts, who helped the Falcons score a touchdown on that drive. However, the second series ended abruptly with Tagovailoa fumbling a snap, leading to a turnover. As Penix progresses with his recovery, the Falcons must weigh the risks of rushing him back into action for the season opener or relying on Tagovailoa for leadership under center.
The team’s situation becomes increasingly precarious as the regular season approaches, leaving them hoping for more consistent quarterback play moving forward.
The Atlanta Falcons can feel a little better about Tua Tagovailoa if he’s needed start at quarterback to begin the regular season.
Tagovailoa didn’t play well in the Falcons’ preseason opener and didn’t play in the second preseason game, so he had one more shot in the preseason to make a decent impression. And he did look OK in his one quarter of work against his old team, the Miami Dolphins, though he took no chances. Tagovailoa didn’t have a single throw more than 6 yards downfield but he did complete passes, going 7-of-8 for 95 yards. Most of the yardage was on a pass behind the line of scrimmage that Kyle Pitts Jr. turned into a 37-yard gain. He also lost a fumble on a snap from center, which won’t sit well with the Falcons’ coaches.
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It was a funny coincidence that Tagovailoa’s last shot to impress his new team before the preseason ended came against his former team.
The small crowd in Miami booed when Tagovailoa came out for his first series. He was cheered in Hard Rock Stadium many times, but his Dolphins career ended with a thud. Tagovailoa was cut this offseason after a poor 2025 season and Miami took on an NFL record $99.2 million dead cap hit, which is split over two seasons.
Tagovailoa has been working as the Falcons’ starting quarterback while Michael Penix Jr. works back from ACL surgery. Tagovailoa didn’t look good in Atlanta’s first preseason game, completing 3-of-5 passes for 22 yards. Penix’s status for Week 1 is up in the air, which made Tagovailoa’s final preseason performance take on a little more importance.
Tagovailoa did fine, making good decisions on his short passes. Atlanta can feel a little better about Tagovailoa operating the offense to start the season, if Penix isn’t available. They’ll just need him to open it up a bit when the games matter.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes against the Miami Dolphins during Friday’s preseason game. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Tagovailoa was drafted fifth overall by the Dolphins in 2020 and he had some good seasons. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards and made a Pro Bowl in 2023 and led the NFL in completion percentage in 2024. But concussions affected his career. His play had a sharp decline, eventually leading the Dolphins to make the decision to release him. Now he’s on a one-year deal hoping to revive his career in Atlanta.
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On a third-and-11 during the Falcons’ first possession, Tagovailoa threw quickly on a screen to Pitts, who turned it into a 37-yard gain. The Falcons scored a touchdown on that drive.
The second drive ended right after it started, as Tagovailoa fumbled the snap from center and the Dolphins recovered. Tagovailoa’s night ended at the end of the first quarter.
Penix has progressed to working in 11-on-11 drills, but the Falcons will have to consider whether it’s worth it to rush Penix back for Week 1. If not, then Tagovailoa will presumably get the call. The Falcons can’t feel great about their options after the preseason, but there aren’t any more preseason games to gain more positive momentum.
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Spotlight team: Kansas City Chiefs
Not many teams use starters in the preseason, especially in the final game. Of the 26 teams that played on Thursday or Friday, 22 of them sat either all or most of their starters.
However, Chiefs coach Andy Reid believes in playing starters during the preseason. Patrick Mahomes didn’t start on Friday against the Seattle Seahawks, as he comes back from a torn ACL, and running back Kenneth Walker III had the night off too, but future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce was on the field along with many other starters (the Chargers, Raiders and Falcons were the other teams to plays starters so far this week). Kelce caught a short pass from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, made a defender miss, gained 8 yards and then did a little shimmy after the play. ‘
The Chiefs got to take a good look at rookie running back Emmett Johnson with Walker sitting, and he looked good. In the first quarter he had a 12-yard run and looked shifty on a 14-yard reception. He has been creating buzz this month and seems to be the direct backup to Walker going into the season. In the first half he had 39 yards on seven carries and also two catches for 15 yards.
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The Chiefs start the season with a home game against the Broncos. They hope being one of the few teams in the NFL to use starters in the third preseason week pays off with a fast start.
Standout player: Eagles WR Makai Lemon
It was good for the Eagles to see Lemon get on the field before the end of preseason.
Lemon, Philadelphia’s first-round pick, made his preseason debut and got the start. On the Eagles’ first play of the game, Lemon ran a short out route and caught a pass from Tanner McKee for 3 yards. He was targeted downfield later in the drive but the pass was broken up. Lemon made two more catches but they didn’t gain any yards. It was clear the Eagles coaches wanted to get Lemon involved early after he has missed most of August. He had a hamstring injury that kept him out of most of training camp and also the first two preseason games. That makes it difficult on a rookie receiver to make an impact, especially early in the season.
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Lemon is part of the group that will try to replace A.J. Brown, who was traded to the Patriots. It might be hard for the Eagles to give Lemon a prominent role early in the season, given how much time he has missed, but at least he got acclimated to NFL game action before the season starts. Lemon didn’t put up big numbers but just being on the field was a positive step.
Other games
Baltimore Ravens 41, Washington Commanders 3: Neither team used starters. Tyler Huntley started at quarterback and his first drive was a good one, completing all four passes for 61 yards including a 25-yard touchdown to Chris Moore. Huntley, who is Lamar Jackson’s clear backup, came out after that drive.
Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers: Neither team used starters on a rainy night in Charlotte. Texans quarterback Davis Mills, who started on Friday and is likely to be C.J. Stroud’s backup to start the season, struggled in the bad weather. He was 3 of 7 for 18 yards and an interception to Panthers safety Lathan Ransom.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars: Both teams rested their starters. That made it a big night for Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker, who appears to be on the roster bubble as the preseason ends. He had five carries for 15 yards and also had a catch, though it lost a yard.
New York Giants at New York Jets: Both teams held out starters, including Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, whose reckless play has led to many trips to the blue medical tent in his short career. Jameis Winston got the start at quarterback for the Giants. Odell Beckham Jr., who is on the bubble to make the roster, did play and he had a pass go off his hands for an interception. Last week, Beckham dropped a pass in the end zone.
Beckham did have three catches for 53 yards against the Jets, and also made a great move to get wide open deep but was overthrown.
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New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys: Neither team played starters, but the Saints had an important backup quarterback battle to track. Spencer Rattler got the start. Last week, Zach Wilson started with Rattler coming in after him. Both quarterbacks struggled in that game last week. Against the Cowboys, Rattler was an efficient 8 of 10 for 79 yards in the first half. Rattler finished his night with an 8-yard touchdown run to the corner of the end zone. Wilson came in for the second half. Rattler has appeared to be the favorite for the QB2 job for most of August.
Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers: Both teams rested their starters. That gave others battling for a roster spot a chance to shine, and receiver Simi Fehoko strengthened his case to make the 53-man roster with a 41-yard touchdown catch from Gardner Minshew II.
Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos: As was the case with most of the league this week, neither team played starters. J.J. McCarthy didn’t play for the Vikings. He has been dealing with an ankle injury. The Vikings named Kyler Murray the starter for this season over McCarthy earlier this month, and McCarthy and Carson Wentz have been competing for QB2 duties. Wentz got the start for Minnesota on Friday. He was 3 of 4 for 15 yards before he was replaced by Max Brosmer.
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Final thoughts
• It’s worth noting that Ravens rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane was one of the Ravens who didn’t suit up, along with other locked-in starters. Lane, a third-round pick, has drawn rave reviews from the team’s training camp. Judging by the staff’s decision to hold him out, he’s set for a big role right away.
• Kaytron Allen, a sixth-round rookie trying to find a role in an underwhelming Commanders backfield, didn’t help his case with a fumble on Washington’s first offensive play of the game.
• Dolphins receiver Chris Bell was a third-round pick despite him tearing his ACL late last season. There was speculation that he might not play until late in his rookie season, or miss it entirely as he recovered. But Bell has made a good recovery and played in his first preseason game on Friday night. He made a catch on his first play from scrimmage. He added a nice 18-yard catch over the middle later in the first quarter, converting on third-and-11.
Bell also showed some athleticism on a deep pass down the sideline, though he couldn’t bring in what would have been an excellent catch. Bell should be available for Week 1, which is a nice bonus for a Dolphins team that is very thin at receiver.
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• Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson got credit for forcing the fumble on Falcons running back Brian Robinson. Dodson and second-round rookie Jacob Rodriguez will be battling for snaps alongside standout Jordyn Brooks. Rodriguez didn’t play Friday night due to injury.
• The Seahawks gave quarterback Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick last year, the full game against the Chiefs while top two quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Drew Lock rested. Milroe hasn’t taken the step the Seahawks wanted to see, which made Friday’s game important for him. Milroe looked good passing the ball, including a very nice downfield pass for a 40-yard gain.
In the third quarter, Milroe hit tight end Nick Vannett for a 4-yard touchdown three plays after a touchdown run was nullified due to a penalty.
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• Former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs got an interception for the Seahawks. He undercut a route and picked off a poorly thrown pass by Chiefs rookie Garrett Nussmeier. Diggs, who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, is battling for a roster spot in Seattle.
• Saints rookie receiver Barion Brown, a sixth-round pick, has gotten good camp reviews. He had a nice touchdown run on a jet sweep in New Orleans’ preseason finale. He could carve out a role early in the season as first-round pick Jordyn Tyson recovers from a hamstring injury.
• The Falcons played most of their starters, but Bijan Robinson is one of the players who sat. Former Commanders and 49ers back Brian Robinson Jr. got the start and scored a 3-yard touchdown on Atlanta’s first drive. Brian Robinson did lose a fumble late in the first quarter, however.
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• The Cowboys are another team still evaluating the backup quarterback position. Joe Milton III got the start on Friday with Sam Howell playing the second half. Milton, who had 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week, didn’t play as well in the finale. He missed some throws the Cowboys will want him to make, and finished the first half 8 of 15 for 92 yards. The Cowboys didn’t score a touchdown on any of Milton’s drives though they did get three Brandon Aubrey field goals. Howell started the second half.
• A new injury to monitor before Week 1: Broncos receiver Marvin Mims Jr. suffered a foot injury as he landed awkwardly after leaping near the sideline for a high pass. Mims went to the medical tent and then the locker room. Mims isn’t a big part of the Broncos offense but he is one of the league’s best kickoff and punt returners.
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