Kirk Cousins will start for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins as starter Michael Penix Jr. recovers from a bone bruise in his left knee, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday.
Penix suffered the injury during last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers as the Falcons dropped to 3-3. Penix was limited in practice the past two days and listed Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game.
On Friday, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Cousins had taken “significant” reps this week in practice and more reps later in the week rather than earlier.
“I’m really confident in our backup,” Morris said Friday of Cousins. “We’re going to give [Penix] every opportunity we can give him. The kid is tough. He’s a guy. He’s a stud.”
The start for Cousins comes as Saturday marks the 10-year anniversary of Washington‘s 31-30 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and Cousins’ famous postgame quote: “You like that?!”
Cousins, 37, helped the Falcons to a 6-3 start last season before he struggled with nine interceptions during a five-game stretch after injuring his right elbow and shoulder in Week 10. Cousins was benched in favor of Penix, then a rookie, in Week 16 last season.
Penix has gone 4-5 as a starter. The second-year quarterback hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet in the NFL. Penix has completed 61% of his passes this season for 1,409 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a 47.7 QBR, which ranks 22nd in the NFL.
The Falcons also updated wide receiver Drake London‘s status to questionable Saturday. London has a hip issue, but Friday after practice he had no injury designation. London was a full participant in practice this week, aside from Friday when he was limited.
Starting inside linebacker Divine Deablo was put on injured reserve Saturday after suffering a broken left forearm in last Sunday night’s defeat. Deablo will be out at least four weeks. In addition, the Falcons signed inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison to the active roster from the practice squad and safety Jordan Fuller to the active roster from injured reserve.
Easton Stick, an elevation from the practice squad, will be Cousins’ backup Sunday. Wide receiver Dylan Drummond was also a practice squad elevation.