Falcons in Kirk Cousins' corner, not planning to play Michael Penix Jr.

Six interceptions in the past two games and zero wins since Nov. 3, quarterback Kirk Cousins is on the hot seat with fans in Atlanta. But he's still on firm footing as the starter with the only one that matters, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. Morris remains committed to Cousins and delivered his strongest statement yet on resisting the temptation to install rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. as the starter any time soon. "I told you right from the beginning, he's our future," Morris said of Penix. "... And to be able to have the respect, to be able to have the confidence, to be able to have the wherewithal to support Kirk and all this stuff, too, it's a great learning lesson for him as well. So, when you go through all that process, you can look at different organizations [that have] pulled the trigger and put guys out there too early and it's gone terrible, and I don't want to be that guy." Morris said Penix will play "when it's time" without expounding on his timeline for the rookie, or the organization's view on when it could consider a switch. The Falcons were 6-3 after back-to-back wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys when the wheels fell off for Cousins and the Atlanta offense. The Falcons have scored 57 points in the past four games, all losses, since combining for 58 points in those consecutive victories. Atlanta is on the road this week for a "Monday Night Football" matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder could be on the field for the Raiders if Aidan O'Connell is ruled out with a knee bruise. O'Connell said he's "hoping to get there" after being carted off the field last week. Morris said the Falcons are supporting Cousins but did suggest he's throughly involved in reviewing the performance of all positions. "So to say benching doesn't cross your mind, you've always got to consider those things if you feel like it's something that's ... irreparable or whatever the case may be," Morris said. "But I don't feel that way. I feel like (Cousins) is going to come out of this thing and he's going to go on a run here and get us to do the things that we need to do." The Buccaneers have won three consecutive games and are in sole possession of first place in the NFC South at 7-6. Atlanta's remaining four-game schedule features the Raiders (2-11), New York Giants (2-11), Washington Commanders (8-5) and Carolina Panthers (3-10). --Field Level Media