Cousins Highly Likely to Start vs. Dolphins

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to start Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins as Falcons starter Michael Penix Jr. recovers from a bone bruise to his left knee suffered vs. the 49ers; Penix was limited in practice and is listed as questionable. Falcons coaches said Cousins took a significant number of first‑team reps this week and they are confident in him as the emergency starter, while Penix says he plans to play and the team could wait until game day to decide. If Cousins starts, it would be his first start of the season and his first since being benched late last year after a turnover-plagued stretch; he has appeared in only one game for Atlanta this year. Some outlets say the matchup could favor Cousins against Miami’s struggling defense, and his roster status has fueled trade speculation. The Falcons emphasize they will monitor Penix’s movement up to kickoff and will not put him in harm’s way.