Penix Delayed Again as Tagovailoa Starts | NFL News

0:00It's September 7th. This is NFL News today, AI-powered story shaping the season. Michael Pinnock's juniors return to the field is facing another delay. Despite being clear for full football activities, he won't be the starting quarterback for week 1. Coach Kevin Stofansky has named Tuwa Tagawa-Lowa the starter for the opening game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving Pinnock's on the sidelines for now. Pinnock himself acknowledged he's not where I want to be right now, indicating he's not fully comfortable with his readiness for game action. This decision comes after Pinnock's has dealt with significant injuries in his past, including two torn ACLs in college and another in his left knee during the 2025 season. While the coaching staff sees progress, they're not ready to put him back in the game. Cooper Rush will be the backup quarterback when Pinnock's is inactive, he is expected to return to 11 on 11 drills later this month. For his injury, Pinnock was showing promise for the Falcons. In 2025, he started nine games, throwing for almost 2,000 yards with nine touchdowns

1:04and only three interceptions. His pass-orating was strong, and he had more passing yards in his first 12 starts than any other quarterback drafted in the previous two years. The injury meant Pinnock's missed out on crucial preseason reps, while Tagawa-Lowa got valuable practice time. Coach Stofansky stated the decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of both quarterbacks since April. Tagawa-Lowa, with his extensive NFL experience, now has the chance to solidify his role as the starter. It's unclear when Pinnock's might be activated or what the quarterback rotation will look like once he's fully ready. This situation leaves Pinnock's with a lot to prove, and he understands his own recovery is still a work in progress. The Falcons quarterback dynamic is likely to evolve beyond this week one decision.