Falcons HC: Kirk Cousins Not Limited by Achilles Injury; QB Struggles Due to Rust

Kirk Cousins' struggles in his Atlanta Falcons debut were not injury related.

Cousins played his first game since Week 8 of 2023 on Sunday due to his season-ending torn Achilles. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that Cousins' issues were a result of "some rust from not playing so long."

"I feel like Kirk is healthy," Morris said, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. "He's been healthy since he's been here."

Cousins went 16-of-26 for 155 and one touchdown with two interceptions and two sacks. It was a lackluster performance from the 36-year-old who had just signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the franchise in March.

He will need to be much better if Atlanta is to make playoff push, and his injury impacting him would have been a very scary thought. However, Morris' claim should mean that Cousins returns to form in the near future.

Atlanta will hope he can take a major step forward in Week 2 when the team heads to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.