Falcons Recap: Tua Tagovailoa heating up, Avieon Terrell sits out

The Atlanta Falcons are just three days away from making their 2026 NFL season preseason debut against the Denver Broncos. While we don’t know how many of the team’s starters will play in Friday’s opener, the players have been putting in some serious work at practice.

In today’s Falcons Wire Recap, Tua Tagovailoa heats up, Michael Penix Jr. draws praise from quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, Atlanta signs two more players to the roster and Avieon Terrell is held out of practice due to injury.

The Falcons claimed former Alabama guard Jaeden Roberts off of waivers from the Eagles on Tuesday afternoon. Roberts, an undrafted free agent, signed with Philadelphia following the 2026 NFL Draft but was waived on Monday. Atlanta could use the extra depth up front after waiving former seventh-round pick Jack Nelson earlier this week.

“Roberts is a powerful guard-only prospect with elite body composition but technique that falls below the NFL mark,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in Roberts’ pre-draft scouting report. “He has legendary weight-room strength that will flash on tape, but he struggles to play under control and cleanly fit blocks.”

Falcons claim former Alabama guard off waivers from Eagles

📸 Will McLelland, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con https://t.co/tqgCOHTEnapic.twitter.com/Ym1pErfz8S

— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 11, 2026

The Falcons signed veteran tight end Nick Muse to their 90-man roster on Tuesday morning. The team also placed undrafted free agent wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington and linebacker Malik Verdon on the waived/injured list in corresponding moves.

Muse was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The 27-year-old spent his first three seasons in Minnesota but appeared in just 16 total games and recorded one career catch for 22 yards. Last season, Muse bounced around a bit.

Falcons sign tight end, waive 2 players from 90-man roster

📸 Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co https://t.co/lUJVuZnvAzpic.twitter.com/KOTTcFyvu1

— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 11, 2026

The Falcons have yet to say whether or not Tua Tagovailoa will play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, but the veteran quarterback was locked in at Tuesday’s practice. Tagovailoa went 7-for-8 on his pass attempts during 11-on-11 drills. Check out Tua’s impressive passing chart below, per Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Good day of 11-on-11 work for Tua Tagovailoa, who went 7-for-8 passing. Also went 2-of-3 passing in 7-on-7.

Here’s his 11-on-11 chart: pic.twitter.com/bk07cUtP6L

— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) August 11, 2026

Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt praised both signal-callers on Tuesday. When asked about Penix’s progress, Van Pelt said he was “really proud” of the third-year QB before praising his footwork and play from under center, per team reporter Tori McElhaney.

“He looks really good,” Van Pelt said of Penix. “He’s throwing really well right now. I love his footwork. We have done a lot of under center work with him during the 7-on-7 periods.”

Falcons QB coach says Michael Penix Jr. looks ‘really good’

📸 Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images https://t.co/kHHkxN8UZ2pic.twitter.com/DMD72QnZNP

— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 11, 2026

The Falcons are dealing with a few minor injuries. Cornerback Avieon Terrell exited Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury, and according to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, the rookie did not participate on Tuesday. Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive lineman LaCale London and edge Bralen Trice were held out as well. However, Taylor’s absence was expected as the team eases him back into the lineup.

#FALCONS TRAINING CAMP NOTES, Day 11 (Aug. 11)

— QB Tua Tagovailoa was 7-of-7 passing in 11-on-11s
— Tagovailoa completed passes to WR Chris Blair (3), TE Kyle Pitts, WR Jahan Dotson, TE Charlie Woerner and WR Olamide Zaccheaus
— WR Drake London did individual work, but no…

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 11, 2026

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Tua Tagovailoa heating up, Avieon Terrell sits out