Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 4

The first practice of Falcons OTAs is now underway and Kirk Cousins is not on the field. Cousins has made clear he wants to play elsewhere in 2025.

Related Players: Michael Penix Jr., Easton Stick

We've been anticipating a potential trade (Steelers?) for a few months now, but it's been pretty quiet on that front since the NFL Draft. If Cousins finds a Week 1 starting role somewhere, he will return to low-end QB2 range for SuperFlex leagues.

The Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta is over. There was one?

There was. For fourteen games. After five subpar performances, Cousins has been benched for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

It’s no surprise, given the things Morris said after Monday night’s unexpectedly tight win over the Raiders, and then earlier today, the story pointed out. As the story also added, it's a pretty stunning move considering the team is coming off a win, and they gave Cousins a contract with $100 million guaranteed. Of course, Penix was the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft this past spring. It's tough to tell what fantasy owners will get if they need to start Penix this week, as it will be a bit of a risky call given it's likely a fantasy playoff game. The weapons are certainly there for him to have some success, and, it's a home game against the Giants. Owners can probably view him in the QB2 range for those type of leagues.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris stopped short of saying Kirk Cousins remains the team’s starting quarterback after Monday night’s 15-9 win over the Raiders and he didn’t cross that line on Tuesday either.

“We just got back,” Morris said, via Josh Kendall of TheAthletic.com. “We still have to go through that process. All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position.”

Related players: Michael Penix Jr.

Morris was asked again if Cousins will get the start against the Giants on Sunday in Week 16 and he again didn’t rule out any move involving Cousins or Penix, the story went on to say. Morris cited the team’s late return from Las Vegas while saying that they still need to go through their process to decide the best path to winning games, the story added. The Falcons did get the win in Week 15 but it wasn't pretty. The Falcons get the Giants in Week 16 - so it's either a matchup to try and get Cousins back on track, or a matchup to give your rookie QB his first start. Several teams like the Browns and Titans have already made QB changes this week. Those owning Cousins and counting on him for this week should probably have a backup plan.

The Commanders elevated kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad for the third time this season on Sunday, which left them with the choice of signing Gonzalez to the active roster or finding someone else to do the kicking this week.

They opted for door No. 1. The team announced that they signed Gonzalez to their 53-man roster on Monday.

Related players: Austin Seibert

Gonzalez filled in for Seibert in two November Games and then returned for the win over the Titans after Seibert went on injured reserve last week, the story said.

Baker Mayfield got stepped on in the third quarter and initially worried that he might have suffered a season-ending injury.

Related players: Kyle Trask

Trask replaced him, but it turned out to be a one-play absence for the quarterback. Mayfield said, "I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before and they say it feels like you got cleated. Obviously, not knowing what exactly happened that’s what I thought I did. It was a little painful, but I got taped again and went back out there.” Mayfield should be good to go despite not having his best game in Week 13. The Bucs host the Raiders in Week 14 in the early Sunday window.

Raheem Morris said WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney will be good to go for Week 13. CB Mike Hughes is likely to be OUT. Morris is hoping for CBs Dee Alford and Antonio Hamilton Sr. to return.

Related Players: Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge

Good news for Mooney's hamstring and London's hip. The Bye week clearly came at the perfect time. Consider each as WR2 options against the Chargers in Week 13.

Early prognosis is Falcons WR Darnell Mooney's hamstring injury from Sunday is not serious, per source.

Related players: Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge

It's certainly good news for a Falcon offense that struggled in Week 11. The team now has a bye in Week 12, so the time off will hopefully be perfect timing for a Mooney Week 13 return. The Falcons host the Chargers in the early slate of games that Sunday. If Mooney has to miss time, McCloud will likely slide in as the team's WR2.

Jerod Mayo says Kendrick Bourne is expected to play this weekend.

Related Players: Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn

Kendrick Bourne didn't log a snap in the Patriots' 19-3 Week 10 win, as there seems to be a riff between the WR and the coaching staff, or at the very least, he's been pushed all the way down the depth chart. We should continue to see some of the younger guys earn more playing time as the season closes down, but none of them are fantasy priorities until one emerges in the clouded target share.

With kicker Austin Seibert dealing with a hip injury, the Commanders are promoting Zane Gonzalez from their practice squad to kick in tonight’s game vs. the Eagles.

We currently have Gonzalez ranked as our K19.

“He’ll be fine,” Liam Coen says of Baker Mayfield’s toe, knowing he’s been limited but will be ready come Sunday afternoon vs. 49ers.

Related Players: Kyle Trask

Looks like Mayfield will suit up, but it's a pretty difficult matchup against the 49ers defense. He should be considered a top-15 option for Week 10.