Ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers' opening game with the Atlanta Falcons, the Falcons quarterback has suffered an injury scare.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been preparing to face off against quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 of the new NFL season.
Tagovailoa was named the starter by the Falcons heading into the season, but there is now a chance of a change. The veteran suffered an injury scare leading into the game, and his status for the Steelers matchup remains unknown.
Falcons insider Josh Kendall reported on the news, with Tagovailoa suffering some discomfort during throwing drills.
"Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa appeared to suffer discomfort during individual throwing drills Thursday and briefly went to the ground. Tagovailoa missed the first week of training camp due to lower back spasms," Kendall wrote.
If Tagovailoa is forced to miss the game, veteran Cooper Rush would be the starter for the Falcons to open the year. Rush spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in two games for the team.
The veteran went 0-2 as a starter for Baltimore, throwing for 303 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions. If Rush is forced to start in the game against Pittsburgh, it could give the Steelers a big advantage.
Pittsburgh was already seen as the favorite entering this game with Tagovailoa under center. But without him, the Steelers could have a very favorable matchup to open the new season.
The Falcons will reveal more information around Tagovailoa's injury soon, as Week 1 draws closer. But this will certainly be something to monitor for the Steelers over the next few days.
Pittsburgh is looking to get itself back to the playoffs after making it last season. The Steelers did win the AFC North, but their time in the postseason was short-lived, being blown out by the Houston Texans.
Veteran Aaron Rodgers returns to be the quarterback, giving this team an experienced leader. But Rodgers is also a very polarizing player, and he will be turning 43-years-old during the NFL season.
In addition, new head coach Mike McCarthy starts his tenure with the Steelers, giving him a chance to coach his hometown team. McCarthy won a Super Bowl years ago with the Green Bay Packers, with Rodgers under center.
The Steelers are hoping for more of the same with the duo, but how effective they will be at this point in their careers remains to be seen. Pittsburgh is hoping for the best from this coming season, with everything getting started in Week 1 against the Falcons.
