Falcons quarterbak Kirk Cousins says shoulder and elbow injuries suffered in Atlanta's Week 10 loss to the Saints affected his play going forward, ultimately leading to his benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.

Cousins says he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10 against the Saints and never returned to full strength afterward.

There was more to Kirk Cousins' decline and benching by Falcons' head coach Raheem Morris during the 2024 season.

As many speculated, an injury did have something to do with Kirk Cousins’ sudden drop-off in play. The Falcons quarterback revealed that it happened during Atlanta’s Week 10 loss in New Orleans.

Kirk Cousins took a hit in Week 10, and his shoulder felt out of sorts for the rest of the year. “I, against the Saints, got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow, and from there, kind of dealing with that was something I was working through and just never really could get it to where I wanted it,

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins admits he was injured in the Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints and he was never able to get back to the level he was playing at before he took that hit.