Falcons HC Raheem Morris provides injury update on Kirk Cousins

I think this is important for a few reasons.

The obvious one is that the Falcons invested $180 million in Cousins, so ideally, he doesn’t miss any time to hit the ground running. That’s clear, but there’s more.

The Falcons invested three top 10 picks in skill position players. They want to see Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson realize their full potential. To do that, Cousins needs to be on the same page as those three. Every single rep matters.

The last and maybe the most important is that Cousins is healthy to take first-team reps. If he wasn’t, drama could ensure. Let me paint a picture for you.

It’s summer in Flowery Branch, and Cousins is on the sideline while Michael Penix is throwing balls to Pitts, London, and Darnell Mooney against air. The Falcons top draft pick thrives in these pro-day-esque settings where he’s throwing without a pass rush in his face.

It may be the Falcons’ worst nightmare because Penix will impress his teammates immediately, and it could create a quarterback controversy within the locker room.

It’s best for everyone, including the Falcons, if Cousins is on the field taking reps with the first-team offense while Penix manages the second team.