FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Neither Michael Penix Jr. or Kirk Cousins will play in the Atlanta Falcons' first preseason game against the Detroit Lions this Friday at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Raheem Morris said the Falcons coaching staff is still working through what the lineup will ultimately look Friday, but the decision not to play these two quarterbacks is "probably the most definitive" decision they have to this point.
The plan is for Easton Stick and Emory Jones to be the Falcons' quarterbacks Friday.
As for whether or not other starters and high-profile backups and rookies will see action Friday, Morris said the team will likely know more based on how Wednesday's schedule team scrimmage goes. The head coach did say the expectation for the preseason this year will differ from last year's plan because of the youth of the Falcons' 2025 roster, particularly with the young additions the team has on defense.
"We will get a good feel after the scrimmage on who needs what, and what you can give somebody," Morris said. "Obviously, we have a young football team so there is going to be a lot more people playing than we had last year. You have some young guys who need to go out there and show some competitive things. We have some positions that are up for battles. That will happen within our own scrimmage and within the preseason games."
Kickoff for Friday's preseason game is set for 7 p.m. ET.
