Tag: Kirk Cousins

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. undergoing third ACL surgery, out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. required season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Atlanta’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft, Penix received a second medical opinion before opting to head back to the operating table.

It will be his third ACL surgery. He tore his right ACL twice while in college in Indiana, and suffered two serious shoulder injuries.

“The one thing we say about Michael: He knows what it’s like to be battle-tested. He’s shown us that before,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday afternoon. “Last injury he had was ’21, I believe it was a shoulder. The last knee was in ’20. He’s done nothing but come back stronger every single opportunity he’s been given.”

“The guy is going to come back stronger for us,” Morris continued. “This organization believes in him. His coaches believe in him. His guys believe in him. He’s going to come back stronger.”

Penix was injured Sunday in Atlanta’s 30-27 overtime loss to Carolina. Veteran Kirk Cousins replaced Penix and has been elevated to the starting job, with Easton Stick to move from the practice squad to the backup role.

The Falcons did not provide a timeline for his recovery or on-field availability for the 2026 season.

Atlanta (3-7) will attempt to halt a five-game losing streak on Sunday at New Orleans (2-8).

Penix completed 13 of 16 passes for 175 yards before leaving the Sunday game. Cousins was 6 of 14 for 48 yards, with neither QB throwing a touchdown or an interception.

Morris said top wide receiver Drake London (knee) is out against the Saints.

Drafted eighth overall in 2024, Penix ends the season with nine starts. He completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs and three picks.

Cousins, 37, started for the injured Penix in a 34-10 home loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. In three games this season, the four-time Pro Bowl selection has completed 32 of 52 passes for 250 yards with no TDs or interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jun 11, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and head coach Raheem Morris on the field during Minicamp at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Falcons coach on Michael Penix Jr.: ‘Feel really good about him’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix and wide receiver Drake London are both making progress as they bid to return from injuries, coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday.

Penix, who is nursing a bone bruise on his knee, was a spectator this past Sunday and watched as Kirk Cousins and the Falcons struggled mightily in a 34-10 setback to the Miami Dolphins. Cousins, 37, completed 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards while making his first start of the season.

“Michael is in the building,” Morris said. “Obviously in meetings. He’ll go out there today and do walk-through. We’ll get a chance to get a feel for what he can do in practice, if he can do anything. But obviously we’ll get to that right after this and find out what he’s doing, how he can do it and how he feels and all that type of stuff. Obviously he feels better than he did last week. Obviously he feels better than he did every single day with it being a bone bruise. That stuff gets better every day. So, I feel really good about him.”

Penix was hurt during Atlanta’s 20-10 road loss against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 19. He played the entire game and completed 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.

Penix, 25, has started six games this season and completed 61% of his passes for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also rushed for one TD.

London, who had no injury designation last Friday, was downgraded to questionable with a hip injury on Saturday before being ruled out on Sunday. The 24-year-old, however, is expected to participate in practice this week, Morris said.

London leads the Falcons in catches (38) and receiving yards (469) this season. He is tied with star running back Bijan Robinson with two touchdown receptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts while walking off the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Falcons WR Drake London, QB Michael Penix inactive vs. Dolphins

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Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Drake London is inactive for Sunday’s game against the visiting Miami Dolphins.

London, who had no injury designation on Friday, was downgraded to questionable with a hip injury on Saturday before being ruled out on Sunday.

He leads the Falcons in catches (38) and receiving yards (469) this season. He is tied with star running back Bijan Robinson with two touchdown receptions.

Kirk Cousins has been confirmed to start Sunday’s game with fellow Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ruled out with a bone bruise on his knee. Penix was limited in practice this week.

As for the Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to play in Sunday’s game despite being added to the injury report with an illness.

Tagovailoa, who does not carry an injury designation into the game, was benched last week in a 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He threw three interceptions and mustered only 100 passing yards with 12 completions and a career-worst passer rating of 24.1. It was his second consecutive three-INT game.

Zach Wilson will serve as the backup with fellow quarterback Quinn Ewers listed as inactive.

Tagovailoa, 27, has thrown for 1,313 yards with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Miami (1-6), which has dropped three consecutive games for the second time this season.

While Tagovailoa will play and Ewers is out, the Dolphins listed the following players as inactive: defensive backs Elijah Campbell and Juju Brents, safety Jordan Colbert, wide receiver Tahj Washington, defensive tackle Zeek Biggers and tight end Julian Hill.

In addition to London and Penix, the Falcons (3-3) also listed defensive lineman Zach Harrison, edge rusher Jalon Walker, cornerback Billy Bowman Jr., offensive lineman Michael Jerrell and defensive lineman LaCale London as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) on the field during the game against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Report: Falcons ‘highly likely’ to start QB Kirk Cousins vs. Dolphins

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Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to start for the Falcons against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday with Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix recovering from a bone bruise to his left knee, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Cousins, 37, worked with the first-team offense this week while Penix was limited. Penix is listed on the injury report as questionable for the game.

“(Cousins has) played a lot of football in this league. It gives you a lot of comfort knowing that you have Kirk, a lot of confidence knowing that you have Kirk,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “Obviously, it will be all based on Mike’s injury status and Mike’s injury status alone.”

Penix was hurt during Atlanta’s 20-10 road loss last Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. He played the entire game and completed 21 of 38 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.

Penix, 25, has started all six games this season and completed 61% of his passes for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also rushed for one TD.

Cousins has started 159 career games and thrown for 43,008 yards, 288 touchdowns and 126 interceptions. He lost the starting job to Penix late in 2024. Cousins was intercepted a career-worst 16 times last season, tying Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield for the most picks in the NFL.

Cousins completed 5 of 7 passes for 29 yards in his lone appearance of this season, a 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins absent from voluntary OTAs

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was absent from practice at voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday.

“I did not see him today,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “He did not show up in the meetings, so I did not see him today.”

Cousins, who turns 37 in mid-August, has been visible at the team’s offseason workouts prior to Tuesday.

The Falcons reportedly are open to listening to trade offers for Cousins, who would have to waive his no-trade clause.

While Cousins is holding out hope for a starter’s role with another team, the Falcons likely are waiting until after June 1 to trade the quarterback. Should that be the case, the team will be on the hook for a $12.5 million dead cap charge.

Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before the 2024 season, then selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the draft.

The Falcons started the season 6-3, but a nosedive Cousins told NFL Network coincided with a shoulder injury prompted Morris to turn the offense over to Penix with three games left in the regular season. Penix went 1-2.

Penix is the team’s No. 1 quarterback entering the new season. The Falcons also have quarterbacks Easton Stick and Emory Jones on their roster.

Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts last season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins attends Falcons’ voluntary workouts amid uncertain future

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With his future in flux, Kirk Cousins attended the first day of the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason workouts, multiple reports said Tuesday.

The decision came as a surprise, as the Falcons and head coach Raheem Morris expected him to skip out on the voluntary program.

“I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work,” Morris said at the league meeting. “… I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

The veteran quarterback wants to be released to seek a starting job in 2025, but the Falcons may hold onto Cousins as a backup to Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta is also open to listening to offers for Cousins, but reports indicate the team would want any trade partner to take on some of his guaranteed money.

The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed before the 2024 season, then drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick in the draft. They benched Cousins for Penix midway through the 2024 season.

Penix is the team’s No. 1 quarterback entering the new season. The Falcons signed free agent Easton Stick on Monday, and 2024 undrafted free agent Emory Jones is also on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Reports: Falcons to keep QB Kirk Cousins past deadline

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The Atlanta Falcons plan to keep Kirk Cousins on their roster past the 4 p.m. ET deadline Saturday, multiple outlets reported. As a result, the quarterback’s $10 million roster bonus that is due in 2026 will be fully guaranteed.

That decision grants the Falcons additional time as they weigh the 36-year-old Cousins’ future with the team.

Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise.

In his return from a torn Achilles and debut season with the Falcons, Cousins said arm injuries were a detriment and led to him being benched in favor of Penix in December. Cousins went to the bench after tossing one touchdown and nine interceptions in a five-game stretch that knocked the Falcons out of playoff position.

Atlanta selected Penix eighth overall in last April’s draft shortly after Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) run on the field before a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons position on QB Kirk Cousins ‘hasn’t changed’

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INDIANAPOLIS — Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise, but the Falcons insist they don’t have to part with high-priced No. 2 Kirk Cousins.

“I’m excited, I know our team is excited, our owner is excited for the future with Michael Penix,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Morris said he was “disappointed” with the way things ended for Cousins and Atlanta. General manager Terry Fontenot, who also met with media at the combine, said the move to Penix was entirely a “football decision” despite recent comments from Cousins that he injured his shoulder in Week 10 against the Saints.

Cousins, 36, enters the second year of a four-year, $180 million contract with a $27.5 million base salary and a $10 million roster bonus that hits on the fifth day of the league year. Teams are not expected to offer a draft pick for Cousins because of his onerous salary.

“Michael Penix is our quarterback. We stood here last year and talked about looking for that guy,” Morris said of whether Cousins was still competing to start. “We think we found him.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) gets sacked by C.J. Brewer (95)in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins claims ankle, arm injuries impacted 2024

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Before his 37th birthday in August, Kirk Cousins said his greatest wish is full health.

“I’m no good to the Falcons, I’m no good to a team if I’m not feeling really good,” Cousins told NFL Network on Tuesday. “That’s really where my focus has been through January and February now that the season has wound down, really taking all the time I can to get my body feeling really good.”

In his return from a torn Achilles and debut season with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins said arm injuries were a detriment and led to him being benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in December.

What’s next for Cousins is unclear, even after Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said the team was comfortable absorbing his $40 million cap number in 2025.

Three years remain on the four-year, $180 million deal Cousins signed with Atlanta in March 2024. After he tossed one touchdown and nine interceptions in a five-game spiral that knocked Atlanta out of playoff position, Cousins went to the bench. He said Tuesday recovery from the Achilles went well.

“I think the Achilles healed well. I think there was a little bit of just trying to get my right ankle back around the Achilles, but the Achilles itself healed really well,” Cousins said on “Good Morning Football: Overtime.”

“Even then, we were 6-3, was playing well, doing a lot of good things, even if the right ankle wasn’t perfect. Nobody’s perfect in this league. We’re never feeling 100 percent. So it didn’t really affect me too much, but then against the Saints (in Week 10), I got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow. From there, kind of dealing with that, it was something I was working through. Just never could get it really to where I wanted it. Now that the season’s over, you have the time and the energy to say, OK, let’s get the right ankle back, let’s get the shoulder back, let’s get the elbow back.

“And if we can do that, feel like I got a new life ahead of me in pro football.”

A move with a post-June 1 designation, or a trade before training camp, would make a reset more feasible for both sides. The Falcons would save $12.5 million, but given his age and rapid regression, his trade market is expected to be cool to frigid.

–Field Level Media

Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Falcons prepare Michael Penix Jr., praise ‘pro’ Kirk Cousins for accepting QB2 role

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Falcons head coach Raheem Morris came to the conclusion rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. gives Atlanta the best chance to beat the New York Giants on Sunday, a victory likely required to remain in the NFC playoff picture.

“I don’t think anything is ever permanent in the National Football League, but right now Michael Penix is our quarterback,” Morris said Wednesday.

The first-year coach made the move to Penix, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft, following an objective review of starter Kirk Cousins’ play over the past five weeks. Cousins, signed to a four-year, $140 million contract in March, had one touchdown pass Monday to snap a four-game losing streak at Las Vegas. He leads the NFL with 18 turnovers, 16 interceptions and the Falcons (7-7) did their best to look beyond financial considerations and past season performance in an effort to win the moment.

“I brought Kirk in here with belief we could win a championship with Kirk. For whatever reason, lately it hasn’t looked that way,” Morris said.

“We’ve got to play better at the position.”

Atlanta (7-7) trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South race. The Falcons play the Washington Commanders (9-5) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17 and playoff position could be on the line if the Falcons beat the Giants and the NFC-East leading Eagles beat the Commanders this week.

While coaches claimed the offense will remain the same, the process of upramping Penix shifted into fast-forward at the Flowery Branch, Ga., facility this week. Morris admitted there’s limited chemistry between the rookie lefty and his top targets in the underachieving offense. One plus Morris called out was Penix bringing more athletic ability and mobility than Cousins.

Morris, who has repeated before and during the season he doesn’t need to be the “smartest person in the building,” said the QB decision was a collaboration that involved owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot. He said he’s not worried about Penix staring down the barrel with the playoffs still possible, crediting the 24-year-old with “maturity that goes beyond his years.”

He also credited Cousins for taking the demotion as a professional.

“Any time you take a step down, and demotion, whatever the case may be it’s not going to be met with great appreciation,” Morris said. “But Kirk was a professional. He’s a pro, he’s a man, he’s great human, great father, he’s a great football player. He’s done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He’s an absolute professional. I can’t say enough good things about who the man is. Obviously it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job.”

Morris said it’s too early to discuss what the depth chart reset means for Cousins’ future with the Falcons. His 2025 salary of $27.5 is fully guaranteed and Atlanta already paid Cousins a $50 million signing bonus and the majority of his $12.5 million base salary for 2024.

There’s some professional historical precedent to the situation playing out in Atlanta for Morris.

During his head coaching run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011, Morris turned to rookie first-round pick Josh Freeman midway through the 2009 season. Byron Leftwich began 2009 as the starter but was sidelined with an elbow injury.

Freeman won his first start with three TD passes, beating the Packers 38-28 to end an 11-game losing streak dating to 2008. The following season, in 2010, Freeman helped Morris flip the Bucs’ 3-13 record to 10-6.

–Field Level Media