The Atlanta Falcons fell to 0-2 in the preseason after the team lost 13-12 to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. While the preseason results are insignificant, a key coaching decision by the Falcons raised some questions.

Kirk Cousins, the Falcons’ coveted free agent signing, is not expected to play in any of the three exhibition games, which some believe opens up the opportunity for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to get a lot of playing time.

But Penix, the No. 8 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, did not even play on Saturday in Baltimore.

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Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)

Taylor Heinicke started the game against the Ravens before John Paddock replaced him. After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was asked about his decision to bench the rookie.

“That’s what it was about. Last week we wanted to get him out there and get a feel for what he was like in a live game, which we basically already knew,” Morris said, via the Falcons’ official website.

Morris was referring to Penix’s performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the preseason. He expressed the coaching staff’s belief that they “saw enough from the rookie playmaker last week” and wanted to “minimize” the risk of injury.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rich Story/Getty Images)

“We wanted to see that he could answer questions, talk about it on the sidelines, go out there and execute, make mistakes and know what to do. … We saw enough of Michael Penix in the live stuff last week, and now we’ve had a chance to contain him, and in practice, you know, we’re giving him a lot of live stuff in practice so he’s doing everything he would do in a game except get hit.”

Penix finished last week’s game with 104 passing yards.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons looks to pass during practice at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons’ decision to hold Penix out of the preseason comes just days after the Minnesota Vikings announced that JJ McCarthy would undergo season-ending surgery. McCarthy played in the Vikings’ preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week.

The Falcons shocked the NFL when, shortly after signing Cousins ​​to a four-year deal, the team made a surprise decision to use a top-10 draft pick on a quarterback. Cousins ​​initially seemed surprised by the move.

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During the NFL Network’s broadcast of the draft, Daniel Jeremiah said he contacted the four-time Pro Bowler’s agent, Mike McCartney. Jeremiah said McCartney implied the Falcons’ front office had not informed Cousins ​​of their draft plan.

“Kirk Cousins ​​​​was not really warned about the whole thing,” Jeremiah said.

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