FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Kirk Cousins could be returning to Atlanta’s starting quarterback job this week. Michael Penix Jr. is questionable to play against Miami due to a bone bruise in his left knee and a decision on the team’s starter may not be made until Sunday.

Penix “is tough,” coach Raheem Morris said Friday. “I don’t know if he’s going to be able to go or not, but we’ll take it all the way up to game day.”

Penix, who has started nine straight games since taking over for Cousins in Week 16 last season, was injured near the end of last week’s 20-10 loss to San Francisco but finished the game. He practiced all week in a limited fashion, though he said Wednesday that he planned to play against the Dolphins.

However, Cousins has taken a “significant amount” of reps this week, Morris said, an indication that the team has some doubt about Penix’s availability.

“I don’t know the exact percentage, but Kirk has taken a lot of reps this week,” Morris said.

Cousins did not speak to the media following Friday’s practice. He has not taken a snap for the team that signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract last year since Week 15 last season. He was benched following that game, which capped a five-game stretch in which he threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass.

Cousins told Falcons owner Arthur Blank during an offseason meeting that he wanted to be traded to a team where he could start again, but Atlanta kept him on the roster. Cousins has dressed each week as Penix’s backup.

“He’s throwing the ball well. He’s moving well,” offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said of Cousins this week. “If we do have to go in that direction, everyone would feel great with Kirk in there.”

The Falcons have a 4-5 record with Penix as the starter dating to last season. Additionally, Penix is 27th in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.02) this season. Cousins was 7-7 as the Falcons’ starter last year and finished 18th in the league in EPA per dropback (.05).

“I’m really confident in our backup,” Morris said Friday.

If Cousins plays and plays well, it could give the Falcons a decision to make about whether or not to keep him in the job. It could also give the team more leverage to move him before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.