Dolphins likely to face Kirk Cousins at QB for Falcons

So the Miami Dolphins probably won’t participate in the extremely rare back-to-back lefty-on-lefty quarterback matchups.

With Atlanta Falcons second-year starter Michael Penix questionable with his knee injury, veteran backup Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to start Sunday against the Dolphins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, according to a Saturday morning ESPN report.

Penix is dealing with a bone bruise in a knee. He had started the Falcons’ previous six games (3-3), completing 61 percent of passes for 1,409 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Cousins, 37, is the NFL’s highest-paid backup quarterback. He signed a four-year, $180 million contract to join Atlanta in March 2024 before the Falcons made the shocking move of then drafting Penix, the left-handed passer out of Washington, a month later.

Cousins has only played in one game this season, coming off the bench in a 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers, going 5 of 7 for 29 yards.

The Falcons have the league’s No. 10 passing offense with Penix at quarterback and face Miami’s 11th-ranked pass defense, but that figure for the Dolphins is aided by how teams run the ball against their league-worst run defense. Atlanta is fourth in rushing offense with Bijan Robinson at running back.

Last week, the Dolphins and left-handed passer Tua Tagovailoa faced the Cleveland Browns and fellow lefty, rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. It was the first matchup of left-handed quarterbacks since 2006 (Falcons’ Michael Vick vs. Buccaneers’ Chris Simms). Penix is the NFL’s only other active left-handed thrower.

This story will be updated.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/25/dolphins-likely-to-face-kirk-cousins-at-qb-for-falcons/