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Former MN Vikings Quarterback Expected Back Under Center
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- Former MN Vikings Quarterback Expected Back Under Center
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have made some significant decisions at the quarterback position in recent seasons. This offseason they opted to turn things over to J.J. McCarthy . Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones both left for other opportunities.
Before Darnold and Jones, it was Kirk Cousins . After six seasons with the Vikings , Cousins opted to chase the bag with the Atlanta Falcons . He didn't last long before coming the league's most expensive backup , but that is expected to change on Sunday.
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Kirk Cousins to start for Atlanta Falcons
After signing with the Atlanta Falcons, the team almost immediately drafted his replacement in the form of Michael Penix . Cousins played just 14 game s last season before Penix took over. Now dealing with a knee injury, Penix is expected to be unavailable with Cousins taking over.
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ESPN Sources: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is "highly likely" to start Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins as Michael Penix recovers from a bone bruise to his knee.
Penix was limited at practice all week and Cousins worked with the first-team offense, gearing up to start Sunday. pic.twitter.com/790BrBoTBe— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2025
Penix and the Falcons beat the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season. The 22-6 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium spoiled Minnesota's home opener. With Penix, the Falcons are 3-3 and coming off a loss against the San Francisco 49ers .
Cousins has appeared in one game for Atlanta this season, completing 5-of-7 passes for 29 yards . Last season he led the league with 16 interceptions despite not playing the final three games of the season.
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When Cousins takes the field for the Falcons, it will be his first start since December 16, 2024 . It should be a relatively soft landing spot for Cousins as well considering the Dolphins 1-6 record.
It is for situations like this that Atlanta has been hesitant to deal Cousins. He gives them arguably the highest quality backup in the league and shouldn't generate much of a dropoff in the place of Penix. Of course, that hasn't stopped recent trade rumors suggesting Cousins would be a fit for the Vikings and their current quarterback issues.
Minnesota is expected to turn back to J.J. McCarthy for Week 9 assuming he is fully healthy.
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