Falcons’ Kirk Cousins Says He’ll Be ‘Ready to Go’ Week 1 amid Achilles Injury Rehab

Zach BacharContributor IAugust 10, 2024

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins confirmed that he’ll be able to start under center once the regular season begins.

“I’ll be ready to go Week 1,” Cousins said during the team’s preseason clash with the Miami Dolphins on Friday, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “I’ve been going full speed now for all of camp, just getting better every week.”

The 35-year-old’s 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings was cut short after he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 8. In March, Cousins joined the Falcons in free agency after signing a four-year contract worth $180 million.

He’s progressed through his recovery throughout the offseason and was cleared to practice in training camp on July 25.

Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalconsKirk to Kyle! pic.twitter.com/cWU1PM03B7

Cousins has continued to improve, even rolling out of the pocket and scrambling for extra yards during the 11-on-11 portion of a July 31 practice.

“I have a lot more to go but I am moving well,” Cousins said afterwards, per Will McFadden of the team’s official website. “I am able to play the position. I took off today in a two-minute period and I was able to run. I felt no worse for the wear. I felt like I was still moving well.”

The Falcons have finished with a 7-10 record in each of the past three years, although the addition of Cousins could be enough to get them into the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. He’ll headline an offense that features standouts such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.

While Atlanta still has rookie signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. in case Cousins isn’t healthy in time, it appears that the veteran will be fully available during the team’s regular-season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 8.