Latest On Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

Much of the Falcons’ offseason quarterback approach has been dominated by the team’s decision to make use of a first-round pick on Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins in free agency. The latter’s rehab from a torn Achilles stays a key storyline for the team, nonetheless.

Cousins has provided encouraging updates throughout the offseason, and he stays on target to be at 100% with loads of time to spare before Week 1. The 35-year-old took part in OTAs and minicamp, although within the absence of padded practices those events offer a limited opportunity to guage players’ true recovery progress. A goal upfront of the preseason has emerged regarding when Cousins goals to be back to full strength.

The four-time Pro Bowler hopes to be recovered by August 1, as detailed by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Structure. Cousins and the Falcons will little doubt proceed with caution once training camp opens later this month, and team and player have loads of time to determine a training camp regimen. With Penix destined to start his profession as Cousins’ understudy, the latter must have first-team reps to himself when he’s on the sector during camp. Cousins can be excited about seeing preseason motion, nonetheless.

“It seems like a protracted ways away,” the Michigan State product said. “But I feel it’s at all times an excellent test to guage where we’re as an offense, as a system. I might like to get in and play [in the preseason] if we will. We’ll must see as we get there where we’re. But, , it will be great to get on the market and type of have that full dress rehearsal.”

Pending how head coach Raheem Morris and the Falcons’ staff view Cousins’ progress, the team’s other signal-callers remain more likely to see most (if not all) of the work through the preseason. Starters at many positions – including quarterback, especially within the case of veterans – rarely see playing time during exhibition games today given the chance of injury. Cousins could use limited preseason motion as a way of confirming his return to full health once he reaches that time through the summer, nonetheless.

Atlanta made a four-year investment in Cousins which incorporates $100MM in guarantees. The team’s financial commitment – not to say the violation of the league’s tampering policies which took place after an agreement had been reached – demonstrates their willingness to enhance from the Desmond Ridder–Taylor Heinicke setup under center. The latter member of that tandem continues to be within the fold, and he’s more likely to see preseason motion this summer. It should be interesting to see if Cousins joins him in that respect.