Falcons begin OTAs without absent QB Cousins

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Kirk Cousins was not successful attendance Tuesday for the Atlanta Falcons' archetypal signifier of voluntary organized squad activities.

Falcons manager Raheem Morris said that helium did not spot Cousins astir the installation Tuesday. The backmost has been astir a spot this spring. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said past week that Cousins has been with the squad a fistful of days.

Cousins has made it wide to the Falcons that helium would similar to beryllium a starter successful the league this season. But that won't travel to fruition successful Atlanta, with the squad wholly down second-year backmost Michael Penix Jr.

Earlier this year, Cousins asked for and was granted a gathering with proprietor Arthur Blank to plead his lawsuit to beryllium released.

However, the Falcons person not budged connected their connection from the extremity of past season. They are comfy with Cousins arsenic Penix's backup, since they'd beryllium paying Cousins his guaranteed $27.5 cardinal successful 2025 whether helium was connected the roster oregon cut. Atlanta could commercialized Cousins, though a squad would request to instrumentality connected immoderate of his guaranteed money, which includes a $10 cardinal roster bonus successful 2026. Cousins besides has a no-trade clause, truthful he'd person to o.k. immoderate deal.

This information of the outpouring programme is voluntary, truthful Cousins wouldn't beryllium taxable to immoderate subject for being absent. That would not beryllium the lawsuit for mandatory minicamp, which the Falcons person scheduled for June 10 and 11.

Tight extremity Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, close tackle Kaleb McGary and antiaircraft lineman Morgan Fox were besides not seen Tuesday during practice.