Cousins planning to make NFL return from Achilles injury
When Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles against the Green Bay Packers last month, he was afraid the season-ending injury would also end his career. Now, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is confident he'll eventually return.
"You have a lot of thoughts go through your head, and one of them was: 'Is this the last time I play football?" Cousins said Friday in his first public comments since the ailment, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "Now a couple weeks removed I can say, 'No, it's not going to be.' I'm excited to write the next chapter and see what God wants to do with it."
However, the 35-year-old isn't sure where that chapter will be written. His contract will void in March, although he hopes to remain with the Vikings for the rest of his career.
"Certainly your mind goes there and you know that's coming," Cousins said regarding his contract situation. "But similar to what we said in April or August, March will happen in March. February will happen in February. Those conversations will happen, but it's just not time yet. We've got so much to focus on with this season."
Although he can't contribute on the field, Cousins will look to help the 6-4 Vikings in other ways.
"He knows our offense," head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "He knows it as well as any of us pretty much. ... I just asked him, 'I just want you to be involved. I just want you to be around our team. Be around.' He is going to start traveling when he gets cleared to do that. I think it (is) a huge bonus for everybody to have him around."
Cousins threw for 18 touchdowns, five interceptions, and 2,331 yards in 2023. Overall, he's recorded 23,265 yards and 171 touchdowns against 55 interceptions since joining the Vikings in 2018. His yardage ranks third in franchise history behind Tommy Kramer (24,775) and Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton (33,098). He ranks second in touchdown passes behind Tarkenton's 239.
The Michigan State product began his career with Washington after being selected with the No. 102 pick in 2012. He's accumulated 39,471 passing yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions on 66.9% passing in 150 career games.