Former Alabama and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with back tightness in his first offseason with the Atlanta Falcons. However, this isn’t stopping the former Crimson Tide national champion from pursuing a starting quarterback position.

Background

Tagovailoa had a prolific college career before the Miami Dolphins drafted him with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Dolphins before being released this past offseason. Tagovailoa then signed with the Falcons, where he is competing with former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.

Penix tore his ACL late last season for the Falcons and has still not been cleared to return to 11-on-11 action for Atlanta. With Penix limited in practice for roughly another month, if Tagovailoa can withstand his back injury, then the former national championship hero for Alabama has a wide-open opportunity to start for the Falcons.

The Falcons boast some of the top weapons in the NFL, including Drake London at wide receiver, Kyle Pitts at tight end, and Bijan Robinson at running back. This lineup could provide Tagovailoa with the support he needs to succeed in his new role.

Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.