Kirk Cousins Reveals for the First Time on Good Morning Football That He Took a Hit During the Week 10 Falcons Game Against the New Orleans Saints, Injuring His Right Shoulder and Elbow, Explaining How It Impacted His Play and Raising Questions About the Long-Term Effects on His Performance for the Rest of the Season
On Monday morning’s episode of Good Morning Football, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins made a stunning admission that caught many fans and analysts by surprise: he revealed for the first time that he sustained injuries to his right shoulder and elbow during the Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons, a hit that could have potentially altered the trajectory of his performance and the Vikings’ season.
Cousins, who has long been known for his durability and consistency on the field, explained how the hit, which came from a hard tackle by Falcons defensive players, immediately caused discomfort in his throwing arm. “It was a tough hit,” Cousins said, while discussing the specifics of the injury. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t sure how severe it was at the time. The immediate impact was on my right shoulder and elbow, which are crucial for any quarterback.”
The admission shocked viewers because Cousins had not shown any noticeable signs of distress or physical limitations during the remainder of the game against the Falcons or in the subsequent weeks. He completed the game with 337 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a tight victory, but said the pain lingered in the following days and gradually became harder to ignore.
“I didn’t want to make a big deal of it initially,” Cousins continued. “There’s always a mentality in sports, especially in the NFL, where you try to push through injuries. But over time, it became clear that it was affecting my mechanics and my overall play.”
Cousins’ revelations have raised concerns among fans and experts alike about the impact of these injuries on the remainder of his season. The quarterback explained that the shoulder injury limited his throwing velocity at times, while the elbow injury caused issues with his grip and accuracy. Despite these struggles, Cousins managed to lead the Vikings to a series of wins, including a notable victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 11.
The Vikings’ coaching staff had not publicly commented on the quarterback’s injuries up until Cousins’ appearance on Good Morning Football. Now, with the disclosure out in the open, questions are swirling about how much the team knew and what, if any, steps were taken to manage Cousins’ health moving forward.
“We’ve always been mindful of Kirk’s health,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a press conference later Monday. “We’ve been working closely with Kirk to make sure he’s getting the treatment he needs. But I’ll be honest, it’s not always easy to know how much pain a player is in when they’re as tough as Kirk.”
As for Cousins, his commitment to playing through the injury speaks to his character and determination, but it also underscores the physical demands of playing quarterback in the NFL. He noted that while he’s receiving treatment and doing everything possible to stay on top of his health, there’s no guarantee that the injuries won’t continue to affect his play.
“I’m just trying to take it day by day,” Cousins said. “The shoulder and elbow are improving, but there’s still work to be done.”
The Vikings are currently in the midst of a playoff race in the NFC, and Cousins’ health will be a key factor in their postseason hopes. As for the future, the quarterback is taking a cautious approach, saying that he will be under constant evaluation to ensure that he can continue to perform at the level expected of him. If the injuries do worsen, it could lead to a more serious conversation about whether Cousins will need to miss time, especially as the team makes a push for the playoffs.
In the meantime, the Vikings and their fans will be hoping for the best as Cousins navigates the rest of the season with these injuries in tow. While he has proven his toughness, it remains to be seen how long he can keep playing at a high level with lingering shoulder and elbow issues. The clock is ticking, and the stakes are higher than ever
