Professional Football Doctor David Chao Reveals if Kirk Cousins Will Play for Falcons in Week 1
One of the biggest free agent acquisitions came about with the Atlanta Falcons signing former Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. Cousins had been discussed in terms of moving teams for a few seasons, and that finally happened.
The Falcons paid Cousins a nice contract, locking in the signal caller for a four-year $180 million deal. The issue is Cousins is coming off an Achilles tear that occurred in Week 8. While coming back from an Achilles tear takes time, professional football doctor Dr. David Chao has revealed a timetable for Cousins to return on Bleav in Falcons.
"Now Kirk Cousins has it different than Aaron Rodgers. It's his right Achilles, the push-off side. And so that's a bigger deal for throwing downfield than accuracy. But he actually has more time. Yes, it was a week-eight injury, but he's not racing for last season. He's looking at this season, which actually gives him net more time."
via Dr. David Chao, Bleav in Falcons
Dr. Chao is indicating that even though Cousins tore his right Achilles, he has more time to recover from it. Aaron Rodgers was trying to beat the clock to be ready for a playoff push with the Jets.
Cousins has had plenty of time to recover already and will have even more as the offseason continues.
"I don't doubt Kirk Cousins will be fine for week one for Atlanta. Would you say he's absolutely 100% on the Achilles? Maybe not, but well enough to be able to throw a plan, and do what he needs to do. And I would be surprised if that weren't the case. The video of his rehab looks pretty good right now. And barring any setbacks, I think he'll be there. I think you'll see him out there for a good portion of OTAs as he acclimates with the team."
via Dr. David Chao, Bleav in Falcons
Dr. Chao believes from what he has seen with Cousins' rehab video, that he fully believes the QB will be ready for OTAs. We imagine the Falcons will want to take it slow with Cousins, but they also did not sign him to a big contract to not have him start the season.
James Brizuela has been a professional writer since 2019. After covering entertainment and the NFL for Sportskeeda, he now works as an Assignment Desk Editor for the LA Sports Report Network which has partnered with the Sports Illustrated FanNation Network, focusing on his expertise in LA sports at the college and professional level.