Falcons' Kirk Cousins ​​​​and Kyle Pitts ready for healthy start

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kirk Cousins ​​has been practicing at full strength throughout training camp after his 2023 season was cut short due to a torn Achilles tendon. Even in OTAs, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was able to do essentially everything that was asked of him physically.

However, there is one thing Cousins ​​has not done since October 29, 2023: take a hit. He did not play in the preseason and there was no contact for quarterbacks in practice.

When Cousins, a high-profile free agent, makes his debut with the Falcons in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, Fox), he will face real defenders for the first time. And he's “sick” about it.

“I'll probably say 'thank you' to the first guy that hits me — within reason,” Cousins ​​said Wednesday after the Falcons' practice. “It's good. Get a little taste of blood in my mouth.”

Cousins ​​isn't the only Atlanta player looking to answer questions about his health this weekend. Tight end Kyle Pitts, who has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons, has been limited in practice due to a hamstring injury. He was evaluated Thursday for full participation.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said he wasn't too concerned. Morris said Pitts had been dealing with the injury for several weeks, but it hadn't affected him much.

“He was out there practicing and doing pretty much everything,” Morris said.

Pitts, 23, said his limitations on Wednesday amounted to about two fewer games than any other. He has no doubts he will play on Sunday against the Steelers. Pitts said he feels healthier than he has since “before my injury.”

In 2021, Pitts had 1,026 receiving yards, joining Mike Ditka as the only rookie tight end to surpass the 1,000-yard mark and the first to make the Pro Bowl since Jeremy Shockey in 2022. It seemed like the sky was the limit for the former No. 4 pick. But a torn right medial ligament ended his 2022 season, and Pitts didn't appear to have fully recovered last season.

Pitts said he doesn't feel any pressure to perform after two frustrating seasons.

“It’s about me and putting games together,” Pitts said.

Cousins ​​led the NFL in touchdown passes (18) when he was out in 2023. Starting this weekend, he'll try to lead the Falcons to their first winning season since 2017. And for the first time in 11 months, he'll take off his red jersey and pass rushers will attack him with bad intentions.

“Red jerseys are not real football,” Cousins ​​said. “I've been saying that for a long time. Red jerseys are not real football and I understand why we wear them, but there is no substitute for the real game of football and that's what we'll see on Sunday.”