Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) "is read to go" and medically cleared for training camp, but that the team will do some "modifications" for his work this summer. Cousins will not start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which is great news for all involved in Atlanta's offense heading into the 2024 campaign. The 35-year-old veteran tore his Achilles in late October last year and is now attempting to learn a new offense in his first year with the Falcons. Although he won't be throwing to All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson anymore, Cousins will have plenty of weapons around him in his new home. But with no rushing ability and coming off a serious injury going into his age-36 campaign, Cousins has a limited ceiling and cannot be trusted as anything more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy. UPDATE: Cousins was a full-go in the first training camp practice this week.
Kirk Cousins Confident He'll Be Full-Go For Training Camp
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 8 of the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, but he has expressed confidence he'll be full-go by training camp at the end of July since his arrival in Atlanta in March. That sentiment didn't change throughout the offseason program, and Cousins' participation in all aspects of the team's offseason program is promising. Cousins said he did everything at organized team activities, but it will be worth watching if he continues to do everything in training camp. The 35-year-old signal-caller will be in a non-contact jersey, but everything else should be business as usual. Cousins will still have plenty of weapons around him in Atlanta, but it's a downgrade in receivers and he's coming off a significant injury towards the end of his career. At best, fantasy managers should consider him a midrange QB2.
Kirk Cousins On Tampering: "There's Not A Whole Lot There"
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was recently asked about the status of the NFL's investigation into tampering allegations by the Falcons. "The league's still kind of going through that," Cousins said. "So, I'll let them do it. But there's not a whole lot there." However, Cousins admitted that he spoke to the team's head athletic trainer during the 52-hour negotiating window where direct communication between the team and impending free agent are strictly forbidden. The QB also said he spoke to director of player personnel Ryan Pace. Cousins said tight end Kyle Pitts actively recruited Cousins for multiple weeks. Cousins also admitted that he personally called former Bears receiver Darnell Mooney to close the deal that brought him to Atlanta during the 52-hour window. It's unclear how deep the league's investigation will be into this matter and whether the Falcons will actually get punished.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) was seen jogging lightly and throwing during organized team activities on Tuesday, according to Zach Klein of WSB. The veteran signal-caller tore his Achilles while playing for the Minnesota Vikings roughly six months ago, but this latest update suggests his recovery is going quite well. Reports out of Georgia indicate that Cousins is already forming a firm rapport with his receivers, including Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Darnell Mooney. As long as Cousins remains on track to play Week 1, he'll enter the 2024 campaign as a fringe top-12 quarterback in fantasy football.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is working his way back from a Week 8 Achilles tear from last season, and reports out of Atlanta suggest he is making great progress. "Kirk is every day improving," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "He's been doing all those things, he's been throwing, he's been out there pretty much full-go. Now, we got him in a limited basis, obviously 'cause he's still in his rehab and his treatment and all those types of things." The 35-year-old signal-caller has not been dropping back behind an offensive line or facing a rush, but he's evidently looked good on his dropbacks and reps with his new wide receiver group. Despite Atlanta selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cousins remains the clear starter in 2024 as long as he holds up. The four-time Pro Bowler has thrown for at least 4,000 yards seven times in his nine-year career as a starter, while the Falcons have not had a 4,000-yard passer since Matt Ryan in 2020. If Cousins isn't limited by his major injury, he'll remain a fringe QB1 option surrounded by Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney, and company.
Kirk Cousins Still Atlanta's Unquestioned Starting QB
Despite the Atlanta Falcons shockingly taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, veteran QB Kirk Cousins' position as the team's starting signal-caller of the foreseeable future has not changed, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Minnesota signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed, in free agency in March. Morris said Cousins doesn't have to look over his shoulder, and that there is no QB controversy at all. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, said there was frustration and confusion coming from his camp because the team didn't use their first-round pick to improve the team in 2024. Cousins will be Atlanta's starter in 2024, but perhaps the Falcons are just giving themselves some extra insurance with Cousins coming off an Achilles tear.
Kirk Cousins "Optimistic To Be Full Speed At Practice" In June
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) said his recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffering on Oct. 29 (Week 8) has been progressing "up and to the right." He also said that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" before the team breaks for summer in June. It's quite the optimistic statement from the 35-year-old veteran, but even if he's not quite full-go at the end of the team's offseason program, Cousins should be able to take part in training camp at the end of July. It's especially important since Cousins will be learning a new offense in Atlanta and trying to gel with his new receivers. The talent surrounding him shouldn't be a problem, as he'll have Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts to work with. Fantasy managers should be more considered about an aging QB coming off a serious injury.
Free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles that knocked him out of the 2023 season early, but it didn't affect his value on the open market. The four-time Pro Bowler joins a roster with several young rising weapons, including running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and receiver Drake London. He has passed for at least 4,000 yards in seven NFL seasons, so he should provide a nice value boost for his new supporting cast. The move means the Minnesota Vikings will be in search of a new starting quarterback, while the Falcons are likely to become the clear favorites in the weak NFC South.
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, impending free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the market when free agency opens on Monday. However, both Cousins and the Vikings will "remain in communication." The four-time Pro-Bowler has had an efficient career. In 150 regular season appearances, he's thrown for 39,471 yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions. He's also completed nearly 70% of his tosses. While the 35-year-old has been one of the league's most durable signal-callers over the years, he was limited to just eight games last season because of a torn Achilles. That said, teams will take a chance by signing Cousins, considering he's coming off a devastating injury. His age also may make other organizations look in another direction. But Cousins, a quality fantasy quarterback since his days in Washington, should have at least a few more solid years left in the tank. With that in mind, his fantasy outlook will be contingent on where he's playing during the 2024-25 campaign, although he may be the most productive by staying in Minnesota.
According to very credible sources, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is seriously considering moving his family to Atlanta so that he can play for the Falcons. Unless Cousins re-signs with the Vikings by next Wednesday, March 13, he'll become an unrestricted free agent. The Falcons have always been the top alternative to the Vikings for Cousins. His wife, Julie, grew up in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia, and her parents still live there. Minnesota wants to keep Cousins around, but only at their price, and they seem to think he won't get a better deal elsewhere. Cousins is now 35 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles last season, so it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank, but a move to Atlanta would give him a strong running game with Bijan Robinson and some interesting receiving targets in Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
