Will Kirk Cousins Start for Falcons Amid Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury Concerns?

Last season, Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was benched by Raheem Morris after Week 15 following a series of defeats and poor production numbers.

Will Kirk Cousins Start for Falcons Amid Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury Concerns?

Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. (Images via The Vikings Territory/ Bleacher Report)

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The Atlanta Falcons, third in the NFC South with 3-3, host the struggling Miami Dolphins at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this week. The Falcons are likely to have a quarterback change against the Fins, replacing the injured Michael Penix Jr. with veteran Kirk Cousins.

After a few years with the Minnesota Vikings, the four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the last season. The 37-year-old from Illinois even started for the team despite the Falcons drafting Penix Jr. early in the draft, and led them to a 6-3 record before he was benched in Week 15 after mid-season struggles. He has remained the backup since.

In the six games in the 2025 season, Penix Jr. has bounced back from the early-season struggles. He has thrown for 1,409 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions. In the loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Penix appeared to be limping toward the end of the game. It was revealed later that the 25-year-old suffered a bone bruise in his left knee.

Though Penix Jr. admitted that he intended to play the Sunday game (October 26), he is very unlikely to start. In his absence, Cousins is projected by several insiders, including Adam Schefter, to suit up on Sunday, his first time since Week 15 in the 2024-25 season.

Raheem Morris, Atlanta’s head coach, said that Cousins spent considerable time with the first team in practice. He also expressed confidence in the backup.

I’m really confident in our backup. We’re going to give [Penix] every opportunity we can give him. The kid is tough. He’s a guy. He’s a stud.

Raheem Morris said

They also elevated quarterback Easton Stick from the practice squad.

Drake London is also questionable for the Dolphins at the Falcons game

The Atlanta Falcons have also listed wide receiver Drake London as questionable for their Week 8 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. London was added to Friday’s injury report after being limited in practice with a hip injury. Though he initially had no game designation, his availability is now uncertain.

Drake London
Drake London (Image via Reuters)

The #Falcons have added WR Drake London to the injury report. He’s now questionable for tomorrow’s game.

ESPN’s NFL reporter Marc Raimondi wrote on X

So far this season, London has tallied 38 receptions for 469 yards and two touchdowns. He’s ranked first among the Falcons in terms of receptions, attempts, and receiving yards while also being the most targeted. The Falcons don’t have too much leeway with the wide receiver unit.

The Atlanta Falcons face growing challenges with their receiver depth ahead of their matchup against the Dolphins. The recent release of Ray-Ray McCloud III, following two consecutive inactive games and an undisclosed disciplinary issue, further thins an already limited receiving unit.

Darnell Mooney is expected to suit up, but his recurring injury issues and missed time earlier in the season raise doubts about consistency and durability. However, the image of Mooney grabbing the ball mid-air from Kirk Cousins’ hands is still fresh. They have added wide receiver Dylan Drummond from the practice squad.

Drummond has very little experience in the league. He started his NFL career with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in May 2023. He was waived in August and later added to the practice squad and made his NFL debut in Week 5 before being released in November. He joined the New York Giants practice squad later that month but became a free agent at season’s end.

Drummond signed with the Atlanta Falcons in May 2024, was waived in August, then rejoined the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025. He was again waived in August 2025 and re-signed to the Falcons’ practice squad the following day.

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