Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons provide clarity on Kirk Cousins' injury

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Alex Lord | Last updated Sep 15, 2024 9:03 AM ET

The biggest talking point among Falcons fans following the team’s loss to the Steelers surrounds Kirk Cousins’ health. Raheem Morris came out on Monday and said that he was healthy, but the eye test said something different.

The stats backed it up too. According to Ben Solak of ESPN, “Cousins moved an average of 3.1 yards per drop-back in this game, which is the least drop-back movement he has had in a single game of his career by more than a full yard.”

Cousins was in the pistol or shotgun on 96% of the Falcons’ offensive snaps, something he never did with the Vikings. Even more peculiar, there were no play action attempts, something he did frequently in Minnesota.

It just didn’t pass the smell test, but there’s finally been an explanation providing some clarity, and it’s alarming. When asked whether his play calling was made with Cousins’ health in mind, Zac Robinson told Atlanta media, “Absolutely not. It just went with the flow of the game.”

Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson on whether any play-calling decisions last Sunday were based on quarterback Kirk Cousins' mobility: "No. Absolutely not. It just went with the flow of the game."

— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) September 12, 2024

On 26 snaps out of the pistol, they ran the ball 21 times (81%). On 22 snaps out of the shotgun, the Falcons had zero designed runs.

That’s egregiously predictable and shocking for an offensive mind as heralded as Zac Robinson.

Granted, it was Robinson’s first time ever calling plays, and it was Cousins’ first game with the Falcons. A gelling period was always expected. However, that kind of elementary game plan and play calling is concerning.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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