Tua to start Friday, not yet named Falcons' QB1

The Atlanta Falcons are getting ready to kick off their preseason, and it sounds like Tua Tagovailoa is going to get the first crack at showing what he can do. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Tua will start in Friday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. This is an important opportunity for Tua to get some live reps and build on the work he's put in during training camp.

The fact that Tua hasn't been named the team's QB1 just yet is worth noting. This could be a sign that the coaching staff wants to see how he performs in a game setting before making any official declarations. It's also possible that the team is keeping its options open, at least for now. Either way, Friday's game is going to be a big one for Tua and the Falcons' offense.

So, what to watch next? Keep an eye on how Tua performs on Friday, and see if he can make a strong case for being named the team's starting quarterback. Also, pay attention to how the rest of the Falcons' offense looks, and whether they can build on the momentum from training camp. The preseason is all about evaluating talent and building chemistry, and this game is just the first step in that process.

Originally reported by espn.com. CoachNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.