The Atlanta Falcons are looking to bounce back in Week 8 after a loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the San Francisco 49ers. They will have to do so with their backup quarterback, Kirk Cousins, starting.
Cousins is getting his first start for the Falcons since he was benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr. for the final three games of the 2024 NFL season. The 37-year-old has played sparingly in 2025, completing 5 of 7 passes for 29 yards at the end of a blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.
So, why is Cousins starting? The 14-year veteran drew into the lineup as Penix deals with an injury.
Here’s what to know about the Falcons’ quarterback situation as they face the Miami Dolphins in NFL Week 8.
What happened to Michael Penix Jr.?
Penix is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee. He suffered the injury in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the 49ers but managed to finish the game in spite of it.
Penix was limited at Falcons practice in the lead-up to Week 8. He was originally ruled ‘questionable’ for the Oct. 26 clash with the Dolphins but reports on Oct. 25 indicated Atlanta would start Cousins to allow Penix to recover from his injury.
Sure enough, Penix was rendered inactive for the Week 8 game, allowing Cousins to make his first start of the season.
Falcons QB depth chart
The Falcons have just two quarterbacks available for Sundays’ game with Penix out of action. Below is the pecking order in the quarterback room.
Kirk Cousins
Easton Stick
Penix will not be eligible to be the Falcons’ emergency third quarterback, as Stick was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. An emergency quarterback can only be designated if all three quarterbacks are on a team’s 53-man roster.
As such, Penix will not be in action at any point during Sunday’s game.
