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Kirk Cousins might get another shot.
Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is questionable to play against the Dolphins on Sunday, meaning that Cousins could make his first start for Atlanta since last season.
Penix, 25, has been the Falcons’ starter since taking over for Cousins in Week 16 last season, but suffered a knee injury at the close of Atlanta’s 20-10 loss to the 49ers last week.
“He’s the ultimate tough guy,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters about Penix Friday. “Obviously, it’s going to be based on movement. It’s going to be based on what he can do, all the stuff that he has. The organization will not put him in harm’s way. We won’t do that.
“We’ll get a better feel for it when we practice him live and we do some of those things on Thursday, obviously, and Friday and Saturday.”
Despite being listed as questionable, Penix insisted that he is feeling good, saying that he expects to play on Sunday.
“Yes,” Penix said when asked if he plans to play against Miami, “that’s the plan.”
With the possibility of Penix missing the Week 8 matchup, Morris remains confident in using Cousins if needed.
“I’m really confident in our backup,” he said.
Cousins, 37, has played in just one game for Atlanta this season, but has been taking a “significant amount” of reps leading up to Sunday’s matchup.
“I don’t know the exact percentage, but Kirk has taken a lot of reps this week,” Morris said.
Cousins signed a four-year deal worth $180 million with the Falcons ahead of last season, and told Atlanta owner Arthur Blank this offseason that he wanted to be traded to a team where he could start.
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Atlanta kept him on the roster, however, with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson giving Cousins some high praise this week.
“He’s throwing the ball well. He’s moving well,” Robinson said of Cousins. “If we do have to go in that direction, everyone would feel great with Kirk in there.”
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