Falcons to field Tagovailoa against Miami in preseason finale
Kevin Stefanski confirms the former Dolphins first-round pick will replace Michael Penix Jr. for the final preseason match at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Atlanta Falcons will field Tua Tagovailoa against the Miami Dolphins in their final preseason fixture this Friday. Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Wednesday that Tagovailoa will assume the starting quarterback role, replacing Michael Penix Jr. for the contest at Hard Rock Stadium.
The decision marks the first instance in which Tagovailoa will take on his former franchise. The quarterback was selected by Miami with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft before being released by the Dolphins this offseason following six seasons with the club.
During his tenure in Miami, Tagovailoa started 76 games and guided the team to a 44-32 record. His statistical record with the Dolphins includes 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions, alongside a 68 per cent completion rate.
The upcoming match serves as the Dolphins' final game on the preseason schedule. While the contest is unlikely to carry significant competitive weight, it offers a notable governance moment for the Falcons as they evaluate their quarterback depth ahead of the regular season.
Stefanski’s announcement provides clarity on the Falcons’ immediate roster strategy, prioritising experience over the development of Penix Jr. for this specific fixture. The Dolphins have completed nine practice sessions during the first two weeks of training camp at the Baptist Health Training Complex and Hard Rock Stadium in preparation for the regular season.
The game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium, the venue where Tagovailoa spent the last six years of his professional career. Although the outcome may not impact standings, the appearance will see the quarterback return to the field in a different jersey.
