KirkCousins

News: 3 days agoCousins will not suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Spin: Cousins will join starting quarterback Michael Penix on the sideline for a third consecutive preseason game, positioning Easton Stick for a final exhibition start, with free-agent pickup Ben DiNucci in line to close things out under center in the wake of Emory Jones (concussion) being waived/injured Monday. By all indications, Cousins will kick off the regular season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Penix in Atlanta, though the Falcons would likely pick up the phone for trade inquiries if a team in need of a capable veteran QB emerges at some stage.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Cousins remains a trade candidate after a disappointing season in Atlanta. The veteran quarterback entered the 2024 season with high expectations after he had finished his prior six full seasons in the top 10 in pass TDs, as well as seven of his prior nine full seasons in the top 12 in fantasy points per game. Instead, he finished 30th in QBR, paced the NFL with 16 INTs and continued to add nothing with his legs (zero yards on 23 carries). Cousins managed three weekly finishes better than 15th prior to being benched for Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. Perhaps Cousins will bounce back now that he's more than one year removed from Achilles surgery, but considering he's now 37 years old, it's unlikely he'll find his way back into the QB1 mix.