The Bengals at least know the name at the top of the depth chart for their trip to Madrid.
According to multiple reports Monday morning, the Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback, setting up Cincinnati’s Nov. 8 matchup in Spain with the former Dolphins starter under center for now. The game is scheduled for 9:30 am ET on NFL Network.
Tagovailoa didn’t exactly force the issue this preseason, but he wound up getting the job by default while former starter Michael Penix Jr. works his way back from his latest major knee injury. Penix has continued recovering, and the reports say he has barely practiced.
On NFL Network, Ian Rapoport said: "Let's actually start with the Atlanta Falcons," Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network this morning. "We now have some breaking news in Atlanta.
Tua Tagovailoa has been named their starting quarterback. Coach Kevin Stefanski has been in the quarterback room, meeting with the quarterbacks and informing them of his decision.
This happened just in the last several minutes. So Tua Tagovailoa, at long last, is going to be the starter in Atlanta, and now the final team to name a starting quarterback.
This was one where certainly it had some ups and downs. I think the hope at the beginning of camp was for Tua to come out and just win the job, let Michael Penix rest and rehab and recover and that was certainly not the case.
"Tua has left a little bit to be desired. Michael Penix Jr. has participated in 11 on 11.
We'll see if he's got a chance. Ultimately, Penix did not believe that he was ready.
Has barely practiced. The hope is to get him a couple more weeks, get that ACL recovery to a good point where you could put him on the field before Week 1.
Well, right now, Tua Tagovailoa is the starting quarterback in Atlanta."
The Falcons are expected to be one of the weaker teams in the NFC this season, and DraftKings Sportsbook has their win total set at 6.5, with the over priced at -150.
Tagovailoa’s numbers from last season were rough, too. He finished with a 37.5 ESPN QBR, which ranked 26th out of 28 qualified quarterbacks.
Cincinnati may still end up seeing Penix once the game week gets closer, but for the moment, the Falcons have their answer at quarterback.
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