Cousins or Penix? Falcons’ starting QB for Sunday vs. Dolphins still a question
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons still aren’t clear on who their starting quarterback for Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins will be.
The Falcons (3-3) are set to host the Dolphins (1-6) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Michael Penix Jr., who has started all six games this season, is listed as questionable on the injury report. Backup Kirk Cousins has taken more of the reps in the latter part of the week, according to Falcons coach Raheem Morris.
“Kirk has taken a significant amount of (the first-team reps),” Morris said Friday. “I don’t know what the exact percentage is … (Penix) took a lot early. Kirk has taken a lot late (in the practice week.)”
Penix suffered a bone bruise in his left knee late in the 20-10 loss to the 49ers last Sunday. Penix has been limited in practice this week.
“The kid is tough,” Morris said. “He’s a guy. He’s a stud. So, I don’t know how I feel about if he’s going to be able to go or not. But I’ll give him all the way up (to game time).”
Cousins, whom Penix replaced as the starter after 14 games last season, played in the second half of the Falcons’ loss to the Panthers in Week 3.
“Don’t know (Penix’s availability). Obviously, it’s going to take longer up until game day,” Morris said. “I’m really confident in our backup … I don’t know how I feel about if (Penix) will be able to go or not.”
Linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm), edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin), cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) and offensive lineman Storm Norton (foot) are designated as out for Sunday’s game.
In addition to Penix, running back Tyler Allgeier (hip/knee), safety Jordan Fuller (knee) and defensive tackle Zach Harrison (knee) are listed as questionable for the game.
Cousins was signed by the Falcons during the 2024 free agency period to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million. A month later, the Falcons drafted Penix with the eighth overall pick.
After a good start to last season, Cousins was injured and started throwing interceptions at a high rate. He was benched in favor of Penix after 14 games. Cousins went 7-7 as a starter.
Penix went 1-2 and failed to get the Falcons to the playoffs. However, he played well enough to be declared the starter moving forward.
Cousins, later in a documentary, stated that he felt misled by the Falcons.
Over the offseason, he also had an hourlong call with owner Arthur Blank and expressed his desire to leave the team. Blank took five pages of notes during the conversation and shared them with the team’s “football folks.”
The Falcons elected not to trade Cousins and named him the backup to Penix.
Penix has led the Falcons to a 3-3 record this season. He has completed 119 of 195 passes (61%) for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a passer rating of 83.
Cousins, 37, is a four-time Pro Bowler. He has received $100 million of the money on his contract.
“We already paid (Cousins),” Blank said at the owner’s meeting.
Cousins did not speak to the media during the open media session on Friday. He had to get some body work.
“I feel good right now,” Penix said on Wednesday. “Obviously, at the end of the game, you saw I did get up a little bit slow, but I’ve been feeling good. Just continuing to get better each and every day and make sure I’m monitoring it the right way. But I do feel good.”
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson believes that Cousins would be ready to play if needed.
“Yeah, I think Kirk prepares every day out at practice,” Robinson said. “He uses those scout team reps as his live reps for the week, and we know Kirk, he prepares the right way.”
Robinson believes that Cousins could adjust on the fly if he plays.
“He’s super smart,” Robinson said. “Physically, he’s throwing the football well. He’s moving well. So, if we did have to go that direction, I know the full team and us as coaches, everybody, would feel great with Kirk if that were have to be the case.”
While Cousins’ has a hefty contract and a no-trade clause, the NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
