NFL Rumors: Falcons’ Kirk Cousins Has ‘No Restrictions’ After Injury amid Speculation

Adam WellsSeptember 14, 2024

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After a lackluster Week 1 performance and speculation about the health of his surgically-repaired Achilles, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not being hampered by the injury he sustained last season.

Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins has “no restrictions” and his leg “feels good” with last week’s issues being attributed more to rust and working with a first-time play-caller in offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

Cousins’ debut with the Falcons left a lot to be desired. He finished 16-of-26 for 155 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in an 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coming out of the game, it was pointed out how predictable the Falcons’ offense was based on how they were lined up.

Field Yates @FieldYatesInteresting note from @ESPNStatsInfo:

The Falcons were in pistol or shotgun on 96% of their snaps today.

Of the 22 snaps out of shotgun, the Falcons had 0 designed runs.

Of the 26 snaps out of pistol, the Falcons ran the ball on 81% of their plays.

Per Next Gen Stats (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra), Cousins’ 3.1 scramble yards per dropback was one full yard less than he averaged in any other game over the past nine seasons.

The Falcons did get Cousins under-center, play-action reps in practice this week, but the response from analysts was to point out he still doesn’t look smooth doing that right now.

Richard Sherman @RSherman_25This is why they were in pistol all game. Hes doing his best but it just isn’t right yet https://t.co/qRmqCPVp4Q

Cousins is only 11 months removed from tearing his Achilles in Week 8 of the 2023 season. He is also 36 years old and playing in a new offensive system. There were always going to be some growing pains along the way.

The key for Atlanta is to see positive progress from Cousins, both in terms of mobility and his comfort in Robinson’s scheme. Robinson can also help in both areas by not making things so predictable that the opposing defense knows what’s coming, like the Steelers seemed to in Week 1.

Cousins does have a more favorable matchup this week against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. The Eagles’ defense has allowed at least 400 yards and 27 points in each of their last four games dating back to last season, including the playoffs.

If Cousins doesn’t look better in Week 2 than he did against the Steelers, then it might be fair for Falcons fans to worry about his outlook and how long it might be before Michael Penix Jr. gets on the field.