Report: Vikings' Kirk Cousins Ahead of Schedule in Injury Rehab Before 2024 NFL FA

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is "ahead of schedule in his recovery" from the torn Achilles tendon that cut short his 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

"He's actually going to be throwing before the combine next month, so everything tracking in a good direction for Kirk Cousins to be fully ready to roll for the Vikings, or whoever he might be with, in 2024," Pelissero said Friday on NFL Network's "The Insiders."

The NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis on Feb. 27.

Cousins suffered the season-ending injury during the Vikings' Oct. 29 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in November that "every option is still available with Kirk," including re-signing in Minnesota. Cousins is currently a free agent and cannot be franchise tagged.

Cousins had looked set for a third straight All-Pro season with Minnesota prior to his injury.

He had recorded 2,331 passing yards for 18 touchdowns through eight games prior to his injury, putting himself on pace for his fourth straight season passing for more than 4,000 yards.

The injury necessitated the first surgery of Cousins' 12-season NFL career on Nov. 1. He had missed just two career starts prior to October.

Cousins, who turns 36 in August, told reporters he wondered immediately after the injury if he would ever play football again.

Now it is clear Cousins plans to return to the league, although less clear if he will be returning to Minnesota, where he has played since 2018.

Without Cousins, the Vikings went 3-6 over the final nine games of the season as Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall took over at the position.

That quarterback rotation didn't work well in 2023, and it's likely not going to be an option for 2024. Although Mullens is signed through next season and Hall will be heading into the second year of his rookie deal, Dobbs becomes a free agent in March.

The Vikings could look to add new talent to the quarterback depth chart, either through a deal or the upcoming draft. The Vikings currently hold nine 2024 draft picks, including the No. 11 selection.

The news that Cousins is projected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season, however, could be enough to sway the Vikings toward signing on for a seventh Cousins season rather than counting on a successful draft or trade.