Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and netted minus-1 yard on four carries in the Falcons' 22-21 win over the Eagles on Monday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Atlanta.
Cousins played hero after a disappointing Falcons debut Week 1, with the veteran signal-caller seemingly shaking off some final rust over the course of the contest. He got into a rhythm when it mattered most, helming a six-play, 70-yard drive that began with 1:39 remaining and saw him complete three passes of double-digit yardage before capping off the march with a seven-yard touchdown pass. The scoring toss, which proved to be the difference in the contest, was preceded by a 41-yard TD strike to Darnell Mooney late in the third quarter that erased a 10-9 deficit at the time. Cousins looked exponentially better than in the opener against Pittsburgh, and he'll hope to build on Monday night's effort in a Sunday night home showdown against the Chiefs in Week 3.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: QBs to Sit
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Cousins did not have the debut the Falcons or Fantasy managers were hoping for in Week 1 against Pittsburgh when he passed for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions and scored just 8.2 Fantasy points. Rust was likely a factor since this was Cousins' first game since suffering his Achilles injury, and facing the Steelers defense didn't help, even at home. We'll see if things improve in Week 2 on Monday night, but playing in prime time hasn't always worked out well for Cousins. The Eagles will pressure Cousins, and he needs to prove himself first before Fantasy managers can trust him. He's a questionable option even in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues this week.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Medically cleared for camp
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Cousins (Achilles) is medically cleared for training camp but could have some "modifications" to his workload, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
In other words, Cousins might not get as many reps as a starting quarterback typically would even though he doesn't have any limitations in terms of the types of activities he can do. The Falcons have two good options to handle first-team QB reps when Cousins is rested, as they still have Taylor Heinicke and drafted Michael Penix eighth overall. The latter development could make things rather interesting in Atlanta if Cousins doesn't look like his Minnesota self in his age-36 season ahead. The Falcons were undeterred by the Achilles' tear he suffered late last October, giving Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract with half the money guaranteed at signing.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Signing with Atlanta
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Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports.
The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact Cousins' participation in offseason practices under new Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The signing is excellent news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, and it also bodes well for RB Bijan Robinson's continued involvement as a receiver. Cousins won't necessarily have the deepest group of pass catchers in Atlanta, but he'll have high-end talent and a strong offensive line. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left without a starting QB and figure to take a look at both veteran and rookie options.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Expected to test open market
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Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the free-agent market this week, though his agent and the Vikings remain in contact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
"The Vikings are still in this," Pelissero added. But the Falcons and Broncos were two teams mentioned as possible destinations should Cousins ultimately leave Minnesota. Teams are permitted to speak with free agents from other teams starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Cousins is expected to command a contract that averages more than $40 million per year.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Encouraged by progress
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Cousins, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles' tendon, posted a video Monday which showed him backpedaling and throwing recently in an indoor tennis facility, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Cousins, whose 2023 season came to an end when he sustained the season-ending injury Oct. 29, noted in his social media post that he was "encouraged by the progress" he's made thus far. He's eligible to become a free agent next month and said earlier in February that he's on track with his recovery and expects to participate in OTAs and minicamp this spring. According to Seifert, the Vikings and Cousins have mutual interest in a reunion, but for now, the 35-year-old profiles as the best available option at his position ahead of NFL free agency.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Ahead of schedule
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Cousins (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery and should resume throwing within the next month or so, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Cousins had surgery on his torn Achilles' tendon Nov. 1 and isn't likely to participate in spring practices even if he resumes throwing soon. He does seem better equipped than most football players to rebound from the injury, considering he's a pocket-based QB who has averaged just 6.6 rushing yards per game in six seasons with the Vikings. Cousins' rehab from surgery will actually be a secondary storyline this offseason, as he's scheduled for unrestricted free agency and not considered a lock to re-sign in Minnesota.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Goes to IR
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The Vikings placed Cousins (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday.
The transaction is merely a formality, as an MRI confirmed Monday that Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over Green Bay, ending the quarterback's season. According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell added that Cousins is slated to undergo surgery later this week, but assuming the 35-year-old has no complications with his procedure, he could be ready for full football activities when NFL training camps open next July. Since Cousins is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it's unclear whether he'll return to Minnesota for a seventh season or explore his options elsewhere. Rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall appears set to make his first NFL start in Cousins' stead Week 9 at Atlanta, but Minnesota acquired a more experienced signal-caller in Joshua Dobbs from Arizona on Tuesday and could turn the offense over to him at some point in the second half of the season if Hall struggles.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Achilles tear confirmed
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The Vikings announced Monday that Cousins will miss the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed that he tore his right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers.
The news come as little surprise, as multiple reports suggested that Cousins suffered an Achilles tear shortly after he exited in the fourth quarter with the injury. A timeline and details for Cousins' surgery will be determined later this week, but the 35-year-old will be done for the season and may not be guaranteed to be back to 100 percent health for NFL training camps next summer. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins late in Sunday's game, but the Vikings haven't determined whether the rookie fifth-round pick will start Week 9 at Atlanta. Cousins, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: May have Achilles tear
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Cousins suffered an apparent torn Achilles during Sunday's 24-10 win at Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Cousins limped to the sideline with 10:30 left in the fourth quarter unable to put any weight on his right foot and was quickly ruled out. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cousins is slated for an MRI to determine the exact nature of the injury, but if the expected diagnosis is confirmed, he'll miss the remainder of the campaign. With Nick Mullens (back) needing to remain on injured reserve for at last one more game, rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall could be in line for his first career start next Sunday in Atlanta.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Exits with ankle injury
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Cousins won't return to Sunday's game against the Packers after exiting in the fourth quarter with an apparent right ankle injury.
Cousins hobbled off the field with 10:30 remaining in the game and didn't appear to be putting any weight on his right foot after he was taken down by Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark on a third-down play. He headed to the Vikings' medical tent on the sideline for evaluation before being quickly carted to the locker room and ruled out for the day. He'll finish the Week 8 contest with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns to go with nine rushing yards on two carries. Jaren Hall will replace Cousins as the Vikings' quarterback and could be in line for playing time if Cousins' injury is serious enough to keep him out of Minnesota's Week 9 game versus the Falcons.
If you start Cousins, you're hoping he throws a ton of passes and somehow comes up with two touchdowns and maybe even 300 yards. That's possible, but he's catching the Packers at a time when their defense has been playing up to par and is getting fresh bodies back. The Packers are also desperate for victories after losing two straight to the Raiders and Broncos, though neither loss could be hung on the defense. I'd much rather start Jared Goff, but I would trust Cousins over Dak Prescott if only because his passing volume gives him a chance at some decent Fantasy numbers.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: QBs to Start
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Cousins is coming off a strong game against San Francisco with 25.0 Fantasy points, and he has scored at least 23.9 points in four of his past six games. Now, his bad outings over that span have come on the road (13.6 Fantasy points at Carolina in Week 4 and 10.7 points at Chicago in Week 6), but he also attempted 31 passes or less in each of those contests. We want Cousins throwing the ball a lot (his best games this season have been at 44 pass attempts or more), and hopefully that happens at Green Bay. The Packers have allowed just one quarterback to score more than 16.5 Fantasy points this season, which was Desmond Ridder in Week 2 with 23.4 points. But I like Cousins to stay hot in this matchup on the road, and he remains a top-10 Fantasy quarterback for Week 8.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Standout performance in upset win
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Cousins completed 35 of 45 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday night. He also netted minus-1 yard on two rushes.
After a lackluster showing in his first game without Justin Jefferson (hamstring, IR) in Week 6 against the Bears, Cousins exploded for one of the best performances of his career considering the caliber of matchup. The veteran averaged a robust 8.4 yards per attempt while displaying particularly impressive chemistry with rookie Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The duo finished on the receiving end of 18 of Cousins' completions and compiled 209 yards in the process. Meanwhile, Addison secured both of Cousins' scoring tosses, which came from 20 and 60 yards out. Cousins' passing yardage total was his highest of the campaign and qualified as his fourth 300-yard effort as well, and his ability to thrive without Jefferson certainly raises his fantasy prospects going into a Week 8 road matchup against the Packers.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Expected to stick with Vikings
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Cousins is expected to remain with the Vikings for the rest of the 2023 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Cousins is not expected to waive his full no-trade clause, so even if the Vikings wanted to move him it may not be possible. Speculation has been abound about his future with the team, as he is in the final year of his current contract and Minnesota is 1-4 entering Week 6 -- three games out of first place. Adding in the absence of Justin Jefferson (hamstring), it's starting to look like a longshot for the team to make a run at the postseason. Nevertheless, Cousins appears set to play out his contract in Minnesota.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: QBs to Start
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Cousins lost Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for at least the next four games after he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, but Cousins should still be considered a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback against Chicago in Week 6. He has enough weapons in T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn to score well against the Bears, who allow the most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at 27.2 Fantasy points per game. All five quarterbacks against Chicago have scored at least 20.4 Fantasy points, including Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson and Sam Howell. Cousins only has one game this year with fewer than 20.5 Fantasy points, and he's scored at least 21.6 Fantasy points in four of his past six games against the Bears going back to 2020.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: QBs to Start
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Cousins had his first game this season with fewer than 20 Fantasy points in Week 4 at Carolina, but prior to that he scored at least 31.7 points in each of his previous two outings against the Eagles and Chargers. He should rebound against the Chiefs with the Vikings likely chasing points, and I like Cousins as a potential top-five quarterback in Week 5. Zach Wilson in Week 4 is the lone quarterback to top 20-plus Fantasy points against Kansas City this year, but Cousins should pile up stats this week in garbage time.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Poor performance in win
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Cousins completed 13 of 19 passes for 139 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Sunday's 21-13 win over the Panthers.
Cousins got off to a brutal start, having an interception returned 99 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter. Although he threw another pick prior to halftime, Cousins at least found star wideout Justin Jefferson for touchdowns from four and 30 yards. After topping 340 yards in each of the first three weeks, Cousins' season-low output Sunday nonetheless didn't prevent Minnesota from winning its first game.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Top DFS Play
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Cousins is the No. 1 QB in Fantasy and for the second week in a row he's the No. 1 QB in my projections. He's still not priced as one of the top options, so I'm going to keep riding him in cash games. The way his defense is playing, 40 pass attempts seems like a near lock.
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Vikings' Kirk Cousins: Another admirable effort in loss
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Cousins completed 32 of 50 passes for 367 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 28-24 loss to the Chargers.
Cousins reached 50 pass attempts in a game for the sixth time in his career, with Sunday's game marking his second-lowest yardage total in those contests. Nevertheless, it was a good performance that was highlighted by long touchdown strikes of 52 and 36 yards and also included four additional completions of greater than 20 yards. Though the Vikings are 0-3, Cousins has multiple passing scores and has topped 340 yards in all three games to this point.
