The storyline grabbing headlines is rightfully the decision to move onto Michael Penix Jr., but quietly, another one is flying under the radar. Raheem Morris had to find a replacement for Younghoe Koo.
Earlier in the season, when the usually reliable Koo missed a few kicks, I pounded the table to give him more time. He deserved it. After all, he’d just kicked a game-winning 58-yard field goal to beat the Saints. However, it’s at a point similar to Cousins, where Morris’ hand has been forced.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Koo aggravated an “undisclosed injury” after recently appearing on Atlanta’s injury report.
“Came to us postgame last night, after the game,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Tuesday. “Kind of hurt himself a little bit, so we’ve got to do a couple things there. We’ll figure it out more tomorrow after the medical things get in.”
Dating back to the Falcons game at the beginning of the month against the Chargers, Koo was listed as questionable with a right hip injury, which is notable considering he kicks with that same leg.
The normally reliable Koo has missed seven field goals this season, two of which have occurred since the injury. Now, that injury doesn’t explain his struggles prior to it popping up on the injury report. In Week 10 against the Saints, Koo missed three field goals, leading to the first of four straight Falcons losses. There’s certainly a case to be made for Raheem Morris to make another difficult decision, which he’s prepared to do.
“Our guys (scouts) have always put ourselves in a position to get people in here,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “We’ve had a couple kickers over the past couple of weeks since he was on the injury report a couple weeks ago. So, we’ve always been pretty cautionary when it comes to Younghoe Koo.”
Now, it has been made official as the Falcons announced Koo has been placed on the injured reserve while signing Riley Patterson to the active roster.
Koo’s struggles were impacting the way Morris was coaching. Twice against the Raiders, the Falcons opted to punt instead of attempting 50+ yard fields goals, while the Falcons’ defense was dominating Desmond Ridder and Las Vegas’ offense.
That was a damning indictment of Morris’ confidence in his kicker. The field position game isn’t one to be ashamed of, but Monday Night Football was different. The Raiders are abysmal, and the Falcons’ defense was shutting down everything. It was the perfect moment to take a risk and give Koo some confidence.
Instead, Morris played it conservatively and chose to punt. That will not fly against the Commanders or in the postseason if the Falcons make it that far. With Michael Penix Jr. starting for the Falcons amid a playoff push, Raheem Morris needed to move on from Koo as well.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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