Will Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins ​​play in preseason? 'Calculated deal' says no

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​still remembers his first NFL preseason game, almost exactly 12 years after he flew to Buffalo as a rookie with what is now the Washington Commanders.

Cousins, a fourth-round rookie drafted to replace first-round pick Robert Griffin III, had his parents in the stands, making them realize how far he had come since his childhood playing days in Barrington, Illinois.

A similar thought occurred to him when he saw linebacker Shawne Merriman, then entering his final season, lining up around the ball.

And no matter how his career unfolded, Cousins ​​knew he could always claim to be taking the field in an NFL uniform.

“I remember thinking, 'Well, if they kick me out, at least I get to wear an NFL helmet for one game and it was a dream just to be out there,'” Cousins ​​​​said after practicing with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday.

His first call came late in the first half – a two-minute drill when Washington was leading 7-3. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, now head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, radioed Cousins ​​into his helmet as he entered the huddle but didn't immediately call the play.

“How are you feeling?” Shanahan asked. “First drive, two-minute drill, let's go.”

Cousins ​​made his first two throws, but his next two were incomplete. His fifth pass was intercepted, ending the offense. Washington failed to score with Cousins ​​at quarterback, but held on for a 7-6 victory. Cousins ​​was just 23 years old at the time and completed 9 of 22 passes for 74 yards with one interception.

“It wasn't a productive game,” Cousins ​​said. “But we moved the ball, and I had fun and covered a lot of things. It's a nice memory.”

But for Cousins, participating in preseason games has quickly become a distant memory – his last appearance was in 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings.

His two-year absence is expected to increase to three years over the next few weeks, starting at 7 p.m. Friday when the Falcons face the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

“Kirk won't get nearly as much work in those situations, if at all,” Morris said before training on Wednesday

At the start of training camp, Cousins ​​revealed that he and Morris had a brief, informal preseason conversation in June in which Morris essentially dismissed any ideas of using his 35-year-old quarterback on a nine-figure annual salary.

Cousins, however, maintained he wanted to play and called it important to see live footage. That's especially important for Cousins, who underwent surgery on his torn right Achilles tendon nine months ago and has only been knocked to the ground once – an accidental hit by a Falcons defensive player during an Aug. 2 open practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Plus, Cousins ​​sees things happening every day that tell him the Falcons need to get going. He wants the offense to look like it's been working together for a decade, even though the core came together less than five months ago. Atlanta is getting closer to that goal every day, Cousins ​​believes, but an in-game test could speed up development.

However, Cousins ​​also understands the arguments for not playing and has ultimately made his peace with Morris and the staff's decision.

“I think it's a calculated deal,” Cousins ​​said Wednesday. “If you could promise me I won't feel worse afterward, absolutely. I'd love to play all four quarters, but the reality is you can't promise me that. You have to be calculated and say: risk versus reward.”

The real idea is, “Let us accomplish everything we can in these two days, and then we will protect you.”

Cousins ​​noted that this precaution has long been common practice in the NFL and he understands that his responsibilities shift during exhibition games – even though he's not physically playing, he's still mentally involved.

The four-time Pro Bowler said he would stand on the sidelines with an earpiece, listening to the play calls while also keeping an eye on the coverage and figuring out where to go with the ball and how to work through the plays.

“You’re kind of playing the game from the sidelines while you watch,” Cousins ​​said.

When Atlanta's offense takes the field Friday night, it won't be reinventing the wheel when it comes to its game plan. The plays will be straightforward, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson doesn't want to give anything away.

Still, it's an opportunity for Cousins ​​to simulate the new offense he's playing in – mentally, not physically. On the field, however, several players will get a chance to experience the same sense of success that Cousins ​​did 12 years ago to the day.

“I remember saying to my parents after the game, 'I had a lot of fun because you guys can just play football,'” Cousins ​​said. “In a regular season game or a college game where you're in the starting lineup, not so much rides on it.”

“So you really get to play the game you love and I think that's a really positive aspect of these preseason games.”

But Cousins ​​probably won't get that chance on Friday night — and while he may not have to fear for his job security like he did in 2012 when he ran through the Buffalo tunnel, he may have another concern: his readiness for Week 1.