With Morris and a new coaching staff adding Cousins, pass rusher Matt Judon, safety Justin Simmons and more this offseason, the return of Falcons stalwart Jarrett has been overshadowed. But the return of the two-time Pro Bowler defensive tackle should be a boon for Morris’ defense and then some.
“Really excited for Grady,” Morris said of the soon-to-be 10-year veteran.
Jarrett, 31, was often a bright spot for a struggling Falcons defense in recent seasons, providing some pass rush up the middle and strong run support. Before last year, Jarrett had not missed a game since 2018. He had played in 84 consecutive games when he suffered a torn ACL in a loss to the Tennessee Titans on October 29, 2023.
About 680 miles north on the same day, Cousins’ season ended with a torn Achilles.
Roughly 10 months later, Cousins’ Falcons debut and return from injury will coincide with Jarrett’s return.
Neither was on the team’s first injury report of the year.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract to join Atlanta this offseason, is, and has been, busy for quite some time.
“He’s full on now,” Morris said. “We said it’s a normal limitation with OTA days to be away from everybody, everybody’s awake. And then when training camp started, he’s been in full swing. I’ve protected him a little bit with the whistle, quick. whistle for no improvisation , but other than that, man, he’s busy sending him out against the Pittsburgh Steelers I’m lying.
Morris, of course, can’t help Cousins, 36, with a quick whistle. Regardless, the excitement of seeing Cousins start his first Falcons game overshadows any anxiety, especially as it relates to a four-time Pro Bowl QB who never suffered a significant injury until last season.
“It’s hard to say you’re worried about Kirk getting hit (given his 13-year career),” Morris said. “I mean the guy’s done it a ton. But certainly there’s always something with injuries. Guys in this game are built for that. That’s why they’re a different breed, a different breed of guys that go out there and play this game, and he’s definitely one of them. I’ve known Kirk since 2012 as a very young, tough guy who is ready to stand in and take a hit at any time, and I don’t think that’s one of the things that is required when you’re a quarterback, I got a lot of respect for that guy and his toughness.”
There are plenty of storylines for the Falcons on Sunday against the Steelers. Not the least of which is that the returns of Jarrett and Cousins will go hand in hand, their return starting Morris’ job and giving the head coach far more excitement than worry.