Much of the Falcons’ offseason quarterback approach has been dominated by the team’s decision to use a first-round pick on Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins in free agency. However, the latter’s rehab from a torn Achilles remains a key storyline for the team.
Cousins has provided encouraging updates throughout the offseason, and he remains on track to be at 100% with plenty of time to spare before Week 1. The 35-year-old took part in OTAs and minicamp, although in the absence of padded practices, those events offer a limited opportunity to evaluate players’ true recovery progress. A target in advance of the preseason has emerged regarding when Cousins aims to be back to full strength.
The four-time Pro Bowler hopes to be recovered by Aug. 1, as detailed by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cousins and the Falcons will no doubt proceed with caution once training camp opens later this month, and the team and players have plenty of time to establish a training camp regimen. With Penix destined to begin his career as Cousins’ understudy, he should have first-team reps on the field during camp. Cousins is also interested in seeing preseason action.
“It feels like a long ways away,” the Michigan State product said. “But I think it’s always a great test to evaluate where we are as an offense, as a system. I would love to get in and play [in the preseason] if we can. We’ll have to see as we get there where we are. But, you know, it would be great to get out there and kind 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 likely to see most (if not all) of the work during the preseason. Starters at many positions — including quarterback, especially in the case of veterans — rarely see playing time during exhibition games, given the risk of injury. Cousins could use limited preseason action to confirm his return to full health once he reaches that point during the summer, however.
Atlanta made a four-year investment in Cousins, including $100M in guarantees. The team’s financial commitment — not to mention the violation of the league’s tampering policieswhich took place after an agreement had been reached — demonstrates their willingness to improve from the Desmond Ridder–Taylor Heinicke setup under center. The latter member of that tandem is still in the fold and will likely see preseason action this summer. It will be interesting to see if Cousins joins him in that respect.
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