The Atlanta Falcons‘ 2024 season was off to a promising start before Kirk Cousins suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons went on a four-game losing streak before eventually benching Cousins for Michael Penix Jr. late in the year.
Penix held that starting job for the first 11 weeks of the 2025 season but suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Carolina Panthers last weekend. As the Falcons prepare to face the Saints for the first time in 2025, Cousins is back under center once again.
Advertisement
The team placed Penix on the injured reserve list Wednesday and he will undergo ACL reconstruction surgery. Atlanta signed quarterback Easton Stick to serve as Cousins’ backup as the team attempts to end a five-game losing streak.
On the bright side, the Falcons are expected to get linebacker Divine Deablo back from the injured reserve list in time for Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Deablo is still technically on IR, but he’s been designated to return and practiced all three days this week.
Deablo can be activated at any time, so don’t be surprised if he’s added to the roster on Saturday. Check out the Falcons’ updated 53-man roster and practice squad entering Week 12 below.
Quarterback (2)
Advertisement
Running back (3)Wide Receiver (6)Tight End (4)Offensive Line (9)Defensive line (7)EDGE (5)ILB (4)Cornerback (6)Safety (4)Specialists (3)Falcons 16-man practice squad
RB Carlos Washington (26)
Reserve/Injured list
OT Storm Norton (out for season)
OT Kaleb McGary (out for season)
Reserve/Physically unable to perform listReserve/Non-football injury list
LB Malik Verdon (designated to return)
Sunday’s game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons are 3-7, while the Saints aren’t far behind at 2-8. The winner in Week 12 will take over third place in the NFC South.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons vs. Saints: Updated 53-man roster for Week 12