FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett have been medically cleared, with a slight asterisk next to each of their names.
The asterisks are a precaution. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said both Cousins and Jarrett will have "modified reps" during training camp practices, which began Thursday with a walk-through as the team gets reacclimated. Morris would rather be safe than sorry in the preseason, especially with these two.
The pair of veterans are returning from season-ending injuries sustained in Week 8 of 2023. Cousins, still with the Minnesota Vikings at the time, tore an Achilles tendon. Jarrett tore an ACL.
Cousins, who signed with the Falcons in March as a free agent, participated during the Falcons' offseason program with no concern since it was non-contact. The introduction of full-speed play in training camp will alter his participation levels to varying degrees.
"Obviously some of his limitations are coming out in individual drills, some of our movement, making sure we don't wear him out to the point that we want to get all team reps with him," Morris said. "So, he's fired up. The team's fired up. The limitations for him you won't notice either. That'll just be our modifications that we do just being smart."
Jarrett, meanwhile, did not participate during the Falcons' offseason program at all. He was around the facility but avoided the practice field. He did, however, speak to the media before the team left for summer break and ensured that he'd be back out there for training camp.
"Obviously when you're talking about a guy like Grady, you're talking about age and you're also talking about coming off an injury," Morris said. "You want to protect him a little bit extra. … But I don't think you'll notice from the naked eye – looking at how he's practicing, what he's doing – how we're going to go about our business with Grady."
Physically, Cousins and Jarrett feel good with where they're at. Neither are rushing the recovery process, though they're on different timelines.
Cousins noted Jarrett's recovery timeline should have been longer, and yet.
"It really wasn't because he's Grady Jarrett," Cousins said. "He just did a great job of doing his thing to get back. I'm impressed with what he's been able to do."
The feeling is mutual.
Last season's injuries were the first of Cousins' and Jarrett's careers. Cousins is 35 years old with 12 seasons under his belt. Jarrett is 31 with nine seasons. Both were reality-checked in their respective Week 8 games. And oddly enough, the Falcons and Vikings had each other up next on their schedules.
"Being a pro for so long – Kirk, myself – we know how to take care of our body, we know how to train," Jarrett said. "That just means that nobody is immune to what's uncontrollable. It's about how you respond. I think that's what we're doing, setting an example for. …
"It's just funny how life and fate worked out. We both got hurt the same week, right before we were about to play each other. Then, to have him here on the team now to lead us going into the season, it means a lot. I couldn't think of a better guy to have in that position. I'm excited to see his comeback, and I'm excited to see my comeback. Hopefully it inspires people."
ROLL CALL
Every player who was supposed to participate in Thursday's practice was indeed present.
The only absence was flagged prior to the start when head coach Raheem Morris announced running back Robert Burns was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a pre-existing injury. Burns missed practices during the offseason program, too.
The clean attendance means running back Jase McClellan is back. In fact, Morris said McClellan is full-go after rehabbing a pre-draft injury during the offseason program. McClellan had participated in the Falcons' final mandatory minicamp practice but had done nothing previously.
OBSERVATIONS
-- The Falcons spent their first open viewing period with special teams working on the new kickoff rule change. That was different.
"That is the big unknown, right?" Morris said. "We all are going to be searching for those things. I think – hint – everybody's going to move that period up. The old-school guys, we all started with punt. I bet there's a bunch of guys starting with kickoff and kickoff return in the beginning of this training camp to make sure we get more reps and more terms at it."
There were 12 players who were rotating a the two kick returner spots. Avery Williams and Ray-Ray McCloud III got the first nods, though, which is notable. In front of them with that first-team return unit were Antonio Hamilton Sr., Tyler Allgeier, Charlie Woerner, Nate Landman, KhaDarel Hodge, Micah Abernathy, Troy Andersen and DeAngelo Malone. Did unfortunately miss the 11th body as action unfolded.
-- Defensive end James Smith-Williams received first-team reps, lining up with defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. Nate Landman and Kaden Elliss were then the starting inside linebackers, though Troy Andersen rotated with Landman after just two reps. Mike Hudges was the second starting cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell, while Richie Grant was in at safety across from Jessie Bates III.
-- Quarterbacks Kirk Cousins (mainly) and Taylor Heinicke were with the first-team offense and defense, while quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (mainly) and John Paddock were with everyone else. Head coach Raheem Morris said Heinicke and Penix will share second-team reps in training camp. The breakdown will be similar to what was seen in the offseason.
-- When the first-team offense was operating with three wide receivers, Ray-Ray McCloud III joined Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
