Falcons’ Kirk Cousins Says Achilles ‘Feels Good’ After Injury Despite Week 1 Loss

Quarterback Kirk Cousins said he “feels good” after the Atlanta Falcons lost 18-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in his return from an Achilles injury.

Cousins told reporters that any perceived lack of movement against the Steelers was not due to the tendon he tore in Week 8 of the 2023 campaign.

“I feel good… the Achilles feels good,” Cousins said on Thursday. “I feel like I can move and push as I normally would.”

Cousins gave a similar update on his Achilles in a Wednesday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show.

“I feel good, honestly. I felt good during the game,” Cousins told Eisen (3:50 mark of the video below. “Was really pleased with how my ankle, if you will, not just the Achilles, but my ankle felt. Really felt good.

“Didn’t take any big hits, so after Week 1, your typical soreness from a game, but nothing too excessive.”

Cousins connected on 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in his Falcons debut.

One of those picks was returned by Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson for 49 yards in the final three minutes.

The veteran quarterback, who inked a four-year, $180 million deal to join Atlanta in free agency after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, did not play during the preseason amid his recovery from last season’s injury.

Now that Cousins has confirmed he is healthy heading into Week 2, the Falcons will hope he can work on getting more comfortable in the pocket with his new team before hitting the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.