NFL Training Camp 2024: Falcons' Kirk Cousins Cleared to Return from Achilles Injury

One NFL team may be closer to a megadeal with a young quarterback, while another club can sigh in relief to see its starting signal-caller fully cleared for training camp.

Meanwhile, a high-profile edge-rusher may wait a while before taking the field in hopes of signing an extension. One of the league's sack leaders has officially decided to hold out in a messy contract dispute.

Over the last 24 hours, two cornerbacks have suffered notable injuries–one of them is expected to miss the 2024 season.

Who could be on their way to join the $50 million club in the coming days? How long will a top edge-rusher stay away from training camp? Which teams may tap into the free-agent market for cornerback help?

Let's catch up on Thursday's training camp buzz around the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan poured cold water on the sizzling rumors that have linked the team to Brandon Aiyuk, or any high-profile wide receiver, in a blockbuster trade deal.

"There's nothing going on right now," Khan told reporters about a potential trade.

In June, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly wrote that the Steelers know they need help at wide receiver, particularly a No. 2 playmaker who can complement George Pickens.

"Yeah, it's not a good situation, and the Steelers know that," Kaboly wrote. "It would show a lack of awareness and urgency if they don't add a legit No. 2 before the season starts. And I think they will."

While everything may be quiet in Pittsburgh about acquiring a wide receiver via trade, we're still several weeks away from the regular season. Khan also said that general managers are always having conversations.

The Steelers may not have many trade options at the moment, though.

The San Francisco 49ers have been adamant that they want to retain Brandon Aiuyk. The Denver Broncos restructured Courtland Sutton's contract, so he's unlikely to reunite with his former teammate, Russell Wilson, this season. The Cincinnati Bengals probably aren't going to trade Tee Higgins to a division rival.

If Pittsburgh rolls with its current group of receivers, Van Jefferson and rookie third-rounder Roman Wilson will probably compete for the second-most targets at the position.

Nonetheless, no one should be surprised if Khan calls San Francisco with a trade proposal for Aiyuk before Week 1.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Aiyuk has requested a trade. Though he showed up at 49ers training camp Wednesday, he didn't participate in any activities.

The New York Jets have placed edge-rusher Haason Reddick on the reserve/did not report list. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt believes that's an indication the team believes the talented edge-rusher will stay away for "a little while."

Based on Rosenblatt's account of the recent events between the Jets and Reddick, the two-time Pro Bowler may be working his leverage against a team that lost two key defensive linemen this offseason.

"Before the Jets traded for Reddick, they made it clear to him and his representatives that they would not rush to sign him to a new deal. Reddick — who was unhappy with his contract before the Eagles traded him — seemed to be OK with that. Things changed shortly after Reddick actually became a Jet, especially after they lost Bryce Huff and eventually traded John Franklin-Myers."

Before the start of training camp, Rosenblatt wrote that the Jets were "unlikely" to sign Reddick to a new deal before Week 1, though they can explore contract modifications to satisfy his demands.

On one hand, the Jets have a solid defensive line without Reddick. As an inside-outside duo, Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson could wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage. Perhaps 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald IV will make a splash off the edge this year.

However, without Huff and Franklin-Myers, the Jets are one injury away from a defensive front that looks closer to average than above average.

With at least 11 sacks in four consecutive campaigns, Reddick is justified in his push to redo an expiring contract. Remember that the Jets gave up a conditional 2026 third-rounder that can become a second-rounder to acquire him from the Philadelphia Eagles.

As Rosenblatt suggested, the Jets and Reddick may have to reach a middle ground in which both sides compromise to solve this issue. Gang Green could cave a little, adding guarantees and/or incentives to Reddick's deal, though he may not get a lucrative multiyear extension this year.

Kirk Cousins is coming along well from a torn Achilles, but the Atlanta Falcons will be careful with his workload at training camp.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that Cousins, along with other players recovering from injury, will take "modified reps."

Atlanta may take extra precautions with Cousins, who turns 36 in August. For the first time in his career, he's attempting to bounce back from a significant injury and will try to do so in his first year with a new team.

In addition to Cousins' modified ramp-up at camp, the Falcons have new pieces in their offensive operation. They hired a new coaching staff, and first-time play-caller Zac Robinson will lead the unit. The club also signed wideout Darnell Mooney and acquired wide receiver Rondale Moore from the Arizona Cardinals.

Therefore, the Falcons offense may experience some hiccups early in the season, though Cousins' ability to participate in practice is a strong positive for a team that finished 31st and 22nd in passing yards in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Remember, Cousins played at a Pro Bowl level with the Minnesota Vikings before he tore his Achilles. Every year between 2020 and 2022, he threw for at least 4,221 yards and 29 touchdowns.

If Cousins has an unfortunate setback or struggles to rebound from injury, rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. could see the field this season.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst wanted to sign Jordan Love to an extension before training camp. Though the team is a little behind on that timeline, NFL insiders believe Green Bay could lock in its starting signal-caller to a new deal soon.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Packers have made progress with Love's camp, but they haven't cemented anything yet.

"Packers fans (and many around the league) are all waiting to hear if Jordan Love's new BIG contract is complete. Based on my conversations today, it's all making progress and heading there. Just not done at this time," Russini posted on X.

Per Pro Football Talk, the Packers are "pretty close" to striking a deal with Love.

Whenever Green Bay agrees with Love's representatives on a new contract, the 25-year-old quarterback, who started in one full season, will likely sign an extension worth $50-plus million annually.

Despite a small sample size as a starter, Love fit the part of a franchise quarterback, throwing for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 64.2 percent completion rate in 17 starts. He played a big part in the Packers' successful push for a playoff spot and their blowout victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round.

Unlike many teams that struggle to find consistency at quarterback after losing or parting ways with a long-time starter, the Packers may have once again put together a succession plan that keeps them stable at the most important position.

The Los Angeles Rams defense may have taken an early hit in the secondary.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Rams fear that Derion Kendrick has torn his ACL, though he'll undergo further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

As a sixth-rounder out of the 2022 draft, Kendrick worked his way up the depth charts within two years, making 18 career starts (12 last year).

Nonetheless, the Rams benched Kendrick on defense for the last three games of the 2023 campaign and in their playoff matchup against the Detroit Lions.

This offseason, the club signed Darious Williams, who returns for his second stint with the team, and Tre'Davious White. As a result, Kendrick may have had an uphill battle to regain a starting job on the boundary.

Because of White's recent injury history, which has resulted in missing 24 contests with the Buffalo Bills over the last two years, Los Angeles shouldn't take depth at the position for granted. If Kendrick has a season-ending injury, the Rams may add another veteran as insurance for the secondary.

Yes, Julian (not Jordan) Love has signed an extension.

Following a Pro Bowl season, Love cashed in on his production, signing a new three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth up to $36 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

As Love did with the New York Giants for four seasons, he took on a versatile role with the Seahawks, lining up in the slot and at both safety spots, which allowed him to make plays all over the field.

Love recorded 123 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four interceptions and two forced fumbles while allowing an 82.2 passer rating in coverage last year. He could match or top those numbers under new head coach Mike Macdonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens' No. 1-scoring defense in 2023.

While the Seahawks offense needs a bounce-back year under first-time NFL offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, Macdonald must elevate an underachieving defense that ranked 25th in scoring and gave up the third-most yards last year.

As a building block for the Seahawks' defensive group, Love can help the unit turn things around in 2024.

While the start of NFL training camps brings excitement, we also get bad news on the downside.

According to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL and will miss the 2024 season.

As a rookie, Blackmon carved out a role in the Vikings secondary on the boundary, logging 41 tackles, three for loss, eight pass breakups and an interception while allowing an 81.8 passer rating in coverage.

This unfortunate injury news comes weeks after rookie fourth-round cornerback Khyree Jackson's tragic death in a car accident.

The Vikings may dip into the free-agent cornerback market before Week 1. They could add a veteran who can help strengthen this unit on and off the field as the team deals with recent heartbreaking news.

Perhaps Minnesota brings 13-year veteran Patrick Peterson back into the locker room. He played with the Vikings between 2021 and 2022.