Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed a second straight practice Thursday because of an oblique injury, leaving his availability for Sunday’s home opener in serious doubt.
The veteran was not spotted on the field during the session, according to team reporters, after also sitting out Wednesday. He has yet to take a regular-season snap for Atlanta.
Tagovailoa was named the Week 1 starter last week but aggravated the oblique during a Thursday practice session and was ruled out against Pittsburgh. Cooper Rush started in his place.
The Falcons lost that game 20-13. Rush completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked four times and posted a 51.9 passer rating.
Running back Bijan Robinson carried the offense that afternoon, rushing 21 times for 83 yards and catching eight passes for 90 yards and a score.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starter Wednesday for the matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
“We don’t have a quarterback yet for this week,” Stefanski said. “We’re working through it. I’m not ruling anyone out. Tua is not going to practice today, but he’s getting better. Cooper and Mike will practice today, so we will work through it.”
Michael Penix Jr., still working back from a torn ACL suffered last season, has been a full participant the past two days. Rush also practiced after dealing with back spasms that flared up before the Steelers game.
Stefanski left open the possibility of using undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
“Jack is not being ruled out for this game,” Stefanski said. “With every player, I’m trying to make decisions that put them in the best position to succeed, and certainly with the quarterback position, that should be obvious.”
Tagovailoa’s injury first appeared when he bent over in discomfort after a throw during last week’s practice open to media, grabbing his right side before dropping to the ground briefly. The team listed him as limited that day and he sat out Friday’s session.
Missing two practices this week typically signals a player is unlikely to play on Sunday, though Friday remains the last chance for him to get on the field before the game.
Atlanta is 0-1 and hosts Carolina at 1 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Panthers also opened 0-1 after a high-scoring loss.
The Falcons’ offense managed just 143 passing yards in Week 1 and relied heavily on Robinson. A second week of uncertainty at quarterback would force Stefanski’s staff to keep the game plan conservative again.
Official injury reports were expected later Thursday. The team has not ruled Tagovailoa out, but consecutive missed practices make a return this weekend a long shot.
Penix has indicated he is close but has not yet been cleared for a full return to game action. That leaves Rush as the most likely option if Tagovailoa cannot go.
The quarterback room has been unsettled since training camp, with both Tagovailoa and Penix dealing with lingering issues at various points. Stefanski has stressed flexibility while the medical staff evaluates each player.
Sunday’s game is Atlanta’s first at home this season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Eastern.
