It appears that Atlanta will be turning to its 37-year-old backup quarterback in Week 8.
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is expected to miss Sunday's game versus the Miami Dolphins due to a bone bruise in his knee, putting Kirk Cousins in line for the start, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.
Rapoport added that Penix has a real chance to return in Week 9 against the New England Patriots, and the quarterback might have taken the field to play the Fins had it been a playoff game.
Penix's absence was a scenario head coach Raheem Morris prepared for as his QB1 was limited all week, telling reporters Friday that Cousins had taken "significant" reps in practice.
Penix, who was listed as questionable to play on the injury report, injured his knee during a Week 7 loss to the 49ers. Atlanta elevated QB Easton Stick to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday to fill out the quarterback depth behind Cousins.
Cousins is now slated to see his first start since Week 15 of the 2024 season.
The 14-year veteran arrived in Atlanta off the heels of a big free-agent contract last year but was benched in favor of the No. 8 overall pick after a disappointing 7-7 record. Cousins produced 3,508 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in 14 starts and finished tied for the league lead in interceptions (16) in 2024.
Penix has 1,409 passing yards, five TDs and three INTs through six games of his first season as the Falcons' starter. While Penix has shown some flashes of brilliance in a clean pocket, the second-year QB has struggled to make throws under pressure.
The Falcons boast the league's second-best defense in yards allowed per game (265.2) and the fourth-best rushing offense (136.3 YPG), a unit powered by star running back Bijan Robinson.
Cousins might be called to game-manage Atlanta toward a home win against a struggling Miami squad, but there's great opportunity for the veteran to show what he has left against a defense that has yielded 363.1 yards and 29.3 points per game this season.
The Falcons (3-3) kick off against the Dolphins (1-6) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
