The Atlanta Falcons are set to take the field Friday night in Miami vs the Dolphins at 7PM. Kirk Cousins announced to assembled media earlier this preseason that he would not play in their three warmup contests. Rookie signal caller Michael Penix Jr. has been taking most of the second-team reps in camp thus far and it's assumed he will start the contest. The question becomes how much should he play?
The previous regime felt the need to hold players back in preseason and some have linked that in part to the detriment of Desmond Ridder in 2023. Ridder famously played just a few preseason snaps and then had a disastrous campaign after coming into the season with just four NFL starts under his belt. With Kirk Cousins as the established starter Penix Jr. does not face the same potential fate.
Penix Jr. has impressed in camp early on. He has shown maturity and arm strength that has turned heads at times. But it remains to be seen how long of a leash he will be given this preseason to showcase his skills in live action.
