The Falcons reported to training camp yesterday, and Raheem Morris took to the podium today to field questions from Atlanta’s media, one of which pertains to the health of the team’s two most pivotal players — Kirk Cousins and Grady Jarrett.
The two veterans are easily the most important two players to keep an eye on as both return from the first major injuries of their respective careers. Cousins tore his Achilles, while Jarrett tore his ACL. Thankfully, both have been medically cleared ahead of Falcons training camp.
Raheem Morris said RB Robert Burns is the lone player starting training camp on PUP.
Everybody else is medically cleared for camp — which includes Kirk Cousins and Grady Jarrett
“He’s ready to go,” Morris said about Cousins. pic.twitter.com/xIf6K5RXM0
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) July 25, 2024
Jarrett’s presence next to David Onyemata last year was incredibly vital to the defense’s overall effectiveness. Ryan Nielsen’s unit took a nose dive when Jarrett went down in the middle of the year; it was literally two different defenses. With Jarrett back and a bunch of unproven linemen around him, the hope is that the interior duo will help take attention away from the younger pass rushers.
As for Cousins, before going down with an Achilles injury, the veteran signal caller was amid his best season. The new Falcons quarterback was on pace to sniff 5,000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns, and a 70% completion percentage. If he can replicate that kind of production, Atlanta’s offense will be one of the best units in football.
The first step in both of those things happening is Kirk Cousins and Grady Jarrett being healthy. Kyle Pitts is also another player to keep an eye on as training camp kicks off. The 4th overall pick from 2021 burst onto the scene as a rookie but struggled following an MCL injury that he suffered in 2022. This season is big for Pitts.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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