South Atlanta News

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett have been medically cleared to participate in training camp, though with some precautions. Head coach Raheem Morris indicated that both players will have "modified reps" during practices to ensure their safety as they return from significant injuries.

Cousins and Jarrett sustained season-ending injuries in Week 8 of the 2023 season. Cousins, who was then with the Minnesota Vikings, tore an Achilles tendon, while Jarrett suffered an ACL tear. Cousins joined the Falcons as a free agent in March and participated in the team's offseason program without concern due to its non-contact nature. However, his participation levels will be adjusted now that full-speed play has resumed.

"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 did not take part in the offseason program but assured he would be ready 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 stated. "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."

Both players are progressing well physically and are not rushing their recoveries despite being on different timelines.

"It really wasn't because he's Grady Jarrett," Cousins remarked regarding Jarrett's recovery timeline. "He just did a great job of doing his thing to get back. I'm impressed with what he's been able to do."

Jarrett reciprocated the sentiment: "Being a pro for so long – Kirk, myself – we know how to take care of our body, we know how to train... 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."

The only absence noted at Thursday's practice was running back Robert Burns, who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a pre-existing injury.

Running back Jase McClellan returned fully after rehabbing a pre-draft injury during the offseason program.

During the first open viewing period of practice, special teams focused on adapting to new kickoff rule changes.

"We all are going to be searching for those things," Morris commented on the new rules.

Notable observations included James Smith-Williams receiving first-team reps alongside defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata; Nate Landman and Kaden Elliss starting as inside linebackers; Mike Hudges starting opposite A.J. Terrell at cornerback; Richie Grant paired with Jessie Bates III at safety; and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Taylor Heinicke leading first-team offense and defense drills.

When operating with three wide receivers, Ray-Ray McCloud III joined Drake London and Darnell Mooney on the field.