The Falcons are set to turn to backup quarterback Kirk Cousins on Sunday as starter Michael Penix Jr. deals with a knee injury. Although Penix is officially listed as questionable, Cousins is “highly likely” to be the Falcons’ starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Penix was limited in practice this week, and Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Cousins took a lot of reps with the first-string offense. Morris expressed confidence in Cousins, stating, “I’m really confident in our backup. We’re going to give [Penix] every opportunity we can give him. The kid is tough. He’s a guy. He’s a stud.”
Last year, the Falcons made the surprising decision both to sign Cousins to a lucrative contract in free agency and to select Penix in the first round of the draft. Cousins ended up starting 14 games, while Penix started three in the 2024 season.
For 2025, the Falcons have made it clear that Penix is their starter—if he’s healthy. However, it looks like Penix won’t be healthy enough to play on Sunday, meaning Cousins will return to the starting lineup.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-kirk-cousins-is-highly-likely-to-start-sunday-for-falcons-vs-dolphins
