Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to make his first start for the Falcons on Sunday since getting benched in a December 2024 game, with starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. dealing with a bone bruise, according to ESPN.
Penix sustained the injury to his left knee during a game last weekend against the 49ers, and while he told reporters Wednesday that he planned to play, he was limited in practice all week and officially listed as questionable heading into Sunday.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters Friday that Cousins had taken a “significant” amount of reps during the week at practice.
“I’m really confident in our backup,” Morris told reporters Friday of Cousins, according to ESPN. “We’re going to give [Penix] every opportunity we can give him. The kid is tough. He’s a guy. He’s a stud.”
If Cousins ends up starting, it’d mark a return to the role he was expected to hold after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta in March 2024.
But one month later, the Falcons selected Penix at No. 8 overall in the NFL draft, and when Cousins’ 6-3 start fizzled later in the year and Atlanta lost four of five games, Morris turned to Penix for their final three games.
That carried over into 2025, and even when Penix was benched during an ugly 30-0 loss to the Panthers, Morris reiterated his support for Penix as his starter — saying that “Kirk lost his job last year.”
“We’re not even close to that with Mike,” Morris told reporters in September. “He had a bad game.”
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Through six games this season, Penix has thrown for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions, including 250 yards and a touchdown during a statement win over Josh Allen and the Bills on “Monday Night Football” earlier this month.
At times, Cousins’ career with the Falcons appeared to be all but over.
He lost his job and ended up in trade rumors with reportedly no trade value.
But for at least one week, Atlanta might end up needing him again after all.
The Falcons have won two of their last three games entering a Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins, who are 1-6 and spiraling with head coach Mike McDaniel on the hot seat.
