Tua Tagovailoa entered the final preseason game fighting for much more than a strong stat line. With Michael Penix Jr. medically cleared and the Atlanta Falcons still refusing to name a Week 1 starter, FOX Sports Radio host Steve Covino believes the veteran quarterback’s career is reaching a point where protecting himself should be nonnegotiable.
Steve Covino Calls Tua Tagovailoa’s Choice ‘Reckless and Careless’
Covino revisited Tagovailoa’s concussion history on “Covino & Rich,” particularly his earlier decision not to wear a Guardian Cap in games. The quarterback returned from a 2024 concussion after telling reporters that declining the padded helmet cover was a “personal choice.”
“There’s so much on the line here,” Covino said. “So Tua, when you think about it, man, the dude was never the same.”
His strongest criticism centered on head protection.
“I know it’s a goofy look, but he should be wearing the Guardian Cap more than anybody, and he chose not to,” Covino added. “How irresponsible is that, right?… That’s just reckless and careless, and honestly, unprofessional, I think. Safety first here.”
🎙️ “He should be wearing a Guardian cap more than anybody, and he chose not to. Reckless and careless and honestly unprofessional.”
Covino on Tua. Three bad concussions and he still wouldn’t put it on.
Is today’s matchup Tua’s last chance in the NFL?@CovinoandRich on… pic.twitter.com/N12LxG5XCS
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) August 28, 2026
Guardian Caps have been permitted during NFL games since 2024. Quarterbacks are not generally required to wear them, and the league has also developed top-performing helmets that can provide comparable or greater protection than some helmets paired with a Guardian Cap. Tagovailoa’s decision, therefore, remains a personal equipment choice rather than a violation of an NFL safety rule.
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Still, Covino connected that choice to the quarterback’s well-documented history of head injuries and the possibility that his next opportunity may be his last.
Falcons QB Competition Adds Another Layer of Pressure
Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year veteran-minimum contract after Miami released him in March. The Dolphins still owe him roughly $54 million in guaranteed 2026 salary, while the Falcons are responsible for only $1.215 million.
That modest investment gives Atlanta flexibility. Penix was fully cleared this week from the torn ACL he suffered last November, while Cooper Rush remains an experienced alternative behind them.
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Tagovailoa responded Friday by completing 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards against his former Miami Dolphins team, though he also lost a fumble in Atlanta’s 17-12 victory. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has maintained that the Week 1 competition remains open.
The veteran is also trying to rebound from a 2025 season in which he threw 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His 72.1 PFN QB Impact grade ranked 28th among qualifying quarterbacks last year.
Covino acknowledged that the final decision belongs to Tagovailoa. His concern is whether competitive instinct is pushing the 28-year-old to accept risks that his concussion history makes harder for outsiders to watch.
With Penix healthy again and Atlanta evaluating every option, the stakes attached to those decisions are no longer theoretical.
