Atlanta

Falcons

Cousins dealt with a throwing arm injury in-season last year, but in the video segment, Pelissero curiously references Cousins’ 2023 Achilles tendon rupture, with regard to Cousins’ current health. The comment seemingly acknowledges that Cousins’ ability to plant and drive off of his surgically repaired right leg was compromised last year. The good news is Cousins’ zip has apparently returned. Pelissero names the Rams as a potential trade partner, given Matthew Stafford’s back injury and Cousins’ familiarity with head coach Sean McVay’s scheme via Falcons’ OC Zac Robinson, McVay’s former understudy. Cousins will not play in the Falcons’ preseason Week 2 game against the Titans tonight.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Henderson still has to pass his physical. The deal will be official once that happens. Henderson spent a month on the Steelers’ practice squad last year before being called up to the active roster. He did not, however, appear in a single game as a Steeler. His last live reps came with the Panthers in 2023. He made 10 starts, appeared in all 17 games, and broke up six passes with two interceptions. The team correspondingly released OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

Morris’ comments about the injured Mooney suggest the wideout could miss significant time in the regular season. “Kind of just waiting and rolling. Kind of a week-to-week basis,” Morris said of Mooney, who will miss training camp with his shoulder injury. “I feel good about getting him back healthy and ready to go. When? I don’t know. We’ll have him back healthy this year, though.” Mooney in 2024 was a mainstay in two-receiver sets and had 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns as Atlanta’s WR2. His absence would open more routes and targets for KhaDarel Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud, the team’s primary slot receiver.

McClellan was a fourth-round pick of the Falcons last season and was let go by the team in June. His signing comes just days after Rachaad White suffered a groin injury, but White was mentioned as being day-to-day by head coach Todd Bowles. There could be nothing to this signing, but the timing of it is interesting. McClellan rushed 13 times for 32 scoreless yards last season and should be considered a long shot to make the final 53-man roster if White is healthy by roster cut down day.

McGary is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2023 and will now be under contract with the Falcons through the 2027 season. The veteran right tackle started all 16 games he appeared in for the Falcons last season and earned a PFF offensive grade of 73.8. McGary, who is a right tackle, will be tasked with protecting the blindside of left-handed QB Michael Penix Jr. this season. Last year, he allowed six sacks on 32 pressures.

Henderson logged zero defensive snaps with the Steelers last season. He would likely compete for a backup role, should the Falcons bring him aboard.

Per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Walker “missed the 11-on-11 portion of practice Thursday and missed the previous two practices.” Raimondi did not clarify whether Walker was able to return for individual drills. Walker has plenty of time to recover and ramp up for the regular season. Hopefully, he returns in time for preseason play.

Whitehead missed time in 2024 with a torn pec. He was set to return in January and then suffered a neck injury in a car accident, preventing his return. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Whitehead has received full medical clearance to return from the neck issue. With 101 career starts between his two stints in Tampa Bay and a stay with the Jets, Whitehead has more than enough experience to find a starting job in 2025. He totaled 79 tackles, three pass breakups, and two TFLs in 12 games last year.

This elevation is, of course, contingent on Darnell Mooney (shoulder) continuing to be out. Raheem Morris was non-committal on Mooney’s status for Week 1, which could put Hodge into a fantasy-viable role in deeper leagues. The unheralded 30-year-old could be this offense’s new Mack Hollins if Mooney misses extended time.

Morris was asked about Mooney’s availability for Week 1 but didn’t have a clear answer. Mooney left practice last week after hitting the ground hard while diving for a pass on the sideline. He suffered a shoulder injury on the play and is now expected to miss most of training camp. The Falcons signed veteran wideout DJ Chark the next day. Mooney could still be ready for the Falcons’ opener, but Morris’s ambiguous answer and the Chark signing both cast some doubt on that. If he does miss time, slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud would be in line for more work and Kyle Pitts could get some extra run as a boundary receiver.