Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris was quick to respond to questions about quarterback Kirk Cousins’ health heading into training camp. Morris told reporters Thursday that Cousins has been cleared by the medical team and is “ready to go.”
Although Cousins will play with the first-team offense, adjustments will be made to his workload as he regains his fitness, according to Falcons reporter Will McFadden. Morris said scouts I wouldn’t notice any limitations on Cousins’ activities.
Cousins, 35, suffered an Achilles injury during last season’s Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers. The injury occurred while he was running and before a tackler made contact. He immediately had difficulty putting weight on his right leg as he made his way back to the sideline. An MRI the next day confirmed a tear in the tendon.
Before the injury, Cousins completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Raheem Morris says Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is “ready to go” and has been medically cleared, but the team will make some “modifications” to his job.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) July 25, 2024
Despite the injury, the Falcons signed Cousins as a free agent (agreeing to a four-year, $180 million contract) after the veteran played six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. However, his long-term status as Atlanta’s starting quarterback was soon shrouded in uncertainty when the team selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with its first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall).
Cousins also participated, albeit on a limited and non-contact basis, in OTAs and minicamps during the spring.
According to Morris, Penis will share reps with the second-team offense alongside Taylor Heinicke during training camp. Heinicke played in five games (four starts) for the Falcons last season, completing 54.4 percent of his passes for 890 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
