Falcons expected to start QB Kirk Cousins vs. Dolphins due to Michael Penix Jr. injury
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback in Week 8 vs. the Miami Dolphins, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports, while Michael Penix Jr. remains sidelined with a bone bruise in his knee. It would be the veteran signal-caller's first start in more than 10 months since his benching.
Penix suffered the injury late in the Falcons' loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. Penix was able to finish the game, but he has been limited in practice throughout the week. Cousins has been taking the majority of first-team reps with Penix limited.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris told CBS Sports' Melanie Collins that the team will not put Penix "in harm's way" unless he is "100%" or "extremely close" to 100%. With Cousins likely getting the start, the Falcons could adjust their offensive approach to fit the veteran's skillset while leaning on Bijan Robinson and the running game.
Cousins was benched in favor of Penix for the last three games of the 2024-25 season, and the only playing time he's seen since then came in the Falcons' Week 3 blowout of the Carolina Panthers. In mop-up duty, Cousins completed five of seven passes for 29 yards.
Prior to his benching in 2024, Cousins completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a league-leading 16 interceptions. That was Cousins' first season with the Falcons, and he lost the starting job just nine months after signing a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency.
Rumors grew over the offseason that Cousins could be traded to another quarterback-needy team, but that never came to fruition. That's a plus for Atlanta in situations like this, because you won't find a more proven or capable backup anywhere else in the NFL. Throughout his 14 seasons, Cousins has thrown for 43,008 yards, 288 touchdowns and 126 interceptions.
This weekend, Cousins and the Falcons offense should have no problem moving the ball against the Miami defense. Even if Cousins needs to shake off the rust, Atlanta should get whatever it wants on the ground with Robinson. The Dolphins are dead last in rush defense, allowing an average of 159.3 yards per game.
NFL Announces Punishment for Broncos Duo Before Cowboys Game
Dre Greenlaw was not the only Denver Broncos player who received discipline from the NFL this week. Teammates Justin Strnad and
All three players’ infractions occurred during the Broncos’ 33-32 win over the
However, Moss and Strnad have not been suspended for their actions, as Greenlaw was for his.
Riley Moss Fined for Facemask Penalty in Broncos-Giants
GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos tackles Wan’Dale Robinson #17 of the New York Giants.
According to the NFL’s football operations portal, Moss received a fine for an unnecessary roughness/facemask penalty he incurred in the third quarter of the Broncos’ win over the Giants in Week 7.
Moss, a former third-round pick in the third year of a four-year, $5.4 million contract, received an $8,253 fine as a result. It is the first fine Moss has received from the
This was also the least costly of his two penalties in the game, as the Giants eventually punted.
Moss was also penalized for pass interference in the fourth quarter, which, while questionable to draw protest from Broncos head coach
“That was silly,” Payton told reporters on October 19. I had just felt like, man, I’m close with a number of people on that crew. But it just so happens in the last three times, the numbers haven’t been good. And I knew the certain penalty was wrong. That’s hard, because it made it first and five that led to their first score [of the second half]. That’s happened one other time. I just wanted them to hear me. You can’t do that.”
NFL EVP Telegraphed Justin Strnad Fine
GettyJustin Strnad #40 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the New York Jets.
Like Moss, whose unnecessary roughness penalty was sure to draw a fine, Strnad’s comes as little surprise. In one key way, it is even less surprising.
Strnad had an interaction with referee Brad Allen before Greenlaw confronted the latter.
“There was some contact with, I think it was Justin, No. 40, and each one of those are just isolated,” NFL executive vice president of football operations
Strnad, on a one-year, $2.8 million contract
NFL Made Example Out of Dre Greenlaw
Vincent presented the idea that the league was using Greenlaw as an example, suspending him and not Strnad, for not only their NFL brethren, but also future generations of pros. Greenlaw’s use of “abusive” and “threatening language” was the basis for his suspension.
Greenlaw was not fined for the incident. However, his suspension was without pay.
“There’s just no place no no place in the game for that,” Vincent told Florio. “Also, I think it’s part of the message that the NFL wants to send to all lower levels of sport. We’ve seen incidents postgame at the youth level between coaches and officials. We don’t need that to happen. And I think if you take a strong stand with the Dre Greenlaw, maybe – maybe – it sends a message to the other.”
Greenlaw can return to the field in Week 9, when the Broncos will visit the Houston Texans, who are 2-4 entering Week 8.
