First Call: Kirk Cousins declares himself ready for Week 1 vs. Steelers; why JuJu Smith-Schuster was let go

Monday’s “First Call” has an update on Kirk Cousins’ status as he gets set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

There’s some news about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson too.

Plus, a former Steeler signs with the Baltimore Ravens, and we get an explanation from New England as to why the Patriots released JuJu Smith-Schuster.

All systems go

Kirk Cousins is declaring himself ready for Week 1 against the Steelers.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback made that clear during a sideline interview as his team was playing against the Miami Dolphins during the preseason opener.

The 35-year-old is coming off an Achilles tendon injury that ended his 2023 season in Minnesota during Week 8.

“I’ll be ready to go Week 1,” Cousins said. “I’ve been going full speed now for all of camp. It keeps getting better every week. I had a great week against the Dolphins in practice. I felt good about our offense and the way we performed, so we’ve just got to keep stacking days,” Cousins said.

Great 4 minute interview here of #Falcons QB Kirk Cousins #NFL #NFLNews pic.twitter.com/stcUK3eQ3k

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) August 10, 2024

Cousins won’t be playing in the preseason, though, as he continues to target the Sept. 8 game against Pittsburgh.

In March, the former Viking signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, despite some speculation that the Steelers may have had an interest in his services.

However, during league meetings in Orlando, Mike Tomlin insisted that the Steelers didn’t pursue Cousins and instead picked up Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to fill their team’s quarterback needs.

Rookie Michael Penix started for the Falcons on Friday and went 9 of 16 for 104 yards as Atlanta lost to Miami, 20-13.

Contact in Cleveland

Meanwhile, Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has been cleared for contact to his surgically repaired shoulder. That’s according to an Associated Press post.

During a Zoom call Sunday, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will participate in this week’s joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings. They are visiting the Browns’ practice facility Wednesday and Thursday before the teams play each other Saturday.

That said, Watson will sit out his second straight preseason game. Watson also failed to play Saturday night when the Browns lost 23-10 to the Green Bay Packers.

The Browns have been very cautious when it comes to Watson’s return from his November shoulder surgery.

More sports

• Madden Monday: Stalled Brandon Aiyuk trade typical of Steelers because they seek reasons to avoid big deals
• Steelers notebook: Alex Highsmith remains out, Joey Porter Jr. needs to address flags
• Stock up, stock down among Steelers after preseason-opening loss

What happened with JuJu

Via ProFootballTalk.com, New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo explained why the franchise decided to release receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

“It was a decision between (executive V.P. of player personnel) Eliot (Wolf) and myself, really to give the younger guys an opportunity to go out there and get more reps and show what they can do,” Mayo said.

Smith-Schuster only posted 29 receptions, 260 yards and one touchdown last year thanks, in part, to a balky knee. Mayo was asked if Smith-Schuster’s reduced explosiveness as a result of that injury was a factor in the decision.

“That’s part of it,” Mayo said. “At the same time, we just want him to get healthy. He still has some good ball left in him, and I wish him nothing but the best.”

Fans and media in Pittsburgh have wondered if there might be a reunion looming between the Steelers and their former receiver if a Brandon Aiyuk trade doesn’t happen. But there has been no concrete evidence for that notion.

Back in the division

There were some rumblings Friday that the Baltimore Ravens may sign former Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller. On Sunday, the team made that move official.

We have signed WR Anthony Miller and P Jack Browning. We have waived G Tykeem Doss and LS Randen Plattner.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 11, 2024

Miller last played in a regular season game with the Steelers in 2021. He caught a 2-yard pass on his only target in his only game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 28 of that year.

The following August, Miller injured his shoulder and hasn’t played in a game since.

However, he has spent time in San Francisco, Indianapolis and Kansas City. In his career, Miller has 140 catches for 1,589 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The former Memphis Tiger was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bears in 2018. He also played for the Houston Texans before coming to Pittsburgh.