The Atlanta Falcons are in the final stages of game install for their matchup with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and with the latest injury report released on Friday, the team has confirmed Jalon Walker (groin) and Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) will be out along with Divine Deablo, who suffered a fracture in his arm against the 49ers.
However, still listed as questionable is quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., who has been dealing with a knee injury suffered this past Sunday in the Falcons loss to San Francisco. And while Penix Jr. has been a participant in practice this week, it has been in limited capacity and on Friday, it was reported backup, Kirk Cousins took a considerable amount of snaps that past couple of practices.
“Raheem Morris said that Kirk Cousins has taken ‘significant reps’ this week and more reps later in the week compared to earlier in the week, so take that however you might,” ESPN Atlanta Falcons beat writer, Marc Raimondi, said as he joined 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes and Mike Bell on Friday to discuss the latest on the team’s injuries and whether or not Penix Jr.
should start if he in not 100 percent healthy.
“I guess it’s going to come down to a game time decision for Penix,” Raimondi continued as he explained Morris was optimistic earlier this week about Penix Jr. starting on Sunday, however was still unsure of the second-year quarterback’s status for Sunday. “His feelings have not changed, but he just does not know at this point whether or not he’ll be able to go or not,” Raimondi said as he later explained why he believes the Falcons are taking their time on a Penix Jr. decision.
“One thing is hey, if your quarterback is not 100 percent healthy and you have a guy behind him who is confident, I would argue much more than confident, he’s been a very good quarterback in the NFL for a very long time. You’re three and three, this is obviously a winnable game against the Dolphins. Why risk trotting out your young quarterback, who’s a little bit banged up, when you have a guy like Kirk Cousins behind him” Raimondi said.
“The other thing guys is as you know, is that what happens if Kirk Cousins does play on Sunday and he lights up the Miami Dolphins and he has an incredible game,” Raimondi asked, explaining why he believes a good performance by Cousins could cause some controversy.
“Do the calls then come for [Kirk] Cousins to be the starter for the rest of the season and we know that they surely will,” Raimondi said, asking “do you want put your young quarterback through a quarterback competition right now in less than 10 starts into his career,” Raimondi said.