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Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is 'ready to go' as training camp begins, says coach Raheem Morris

Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8 last season

ian casselberry
Contributing writer
·2 min read

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris quickly addressed questions about quarterback Kirk Cousins' health as training camp begins. Morris told reporters on Thursday that Cousins is medically cleared and "ready to go."

Though Cousins will take snaps with the first-team offense, accommodations will be made to his workload as he builds his condition back up, according to Falcons reporter Will McFadden. Morris said observers wouldn't notice any limitations on Cousins' activities.

Cousins said to reporters that he wants to play in the Falcons' preseason games, but Morris told him that the team does not intend to let him do so, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter.

Cousins, 35, suffered an Achilles injury while playing for the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 8 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. The injury occurred while he was scrambling and before contact from a tackler was made. He immediately had difficulty putting weight on his right leg as he went back to the sideline. An MRI exam the next day confirmed a tear in the tendon.

Prior to the injury, Cousins completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Despite the injury, the Falcons signed Cousins as a free agent — agreeing to a four-year, $180 million contract — after the veteran played six seasons with the Vikings. Yet his long-term status as Atlanta's starting quarterback was soon cast into uncertainty when the team selected Washington signal caller Michael Penix Jr. with its first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall).

Cousins also participated — albeit on a limited basis and with no contact — in OTAs and minicamps during the spring.

According to Morris, Penix will share reps with the second-team offense with Taylor Heinicke during training camp. Heinicke played in five games (starting four) for the Falcons last season, completing 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.