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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Told Michael Penix Jr. 'I'd be in his corner'

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Less than 24 hours after being benched, Kirk Cousins said he will do what he can to help new Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris on Tuesday made the decision to start Penix following the team's 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on "Monday Night Football." Cousins struggled in that game, was limited in the game plan and now has nine interceptions in his past five outings.

"It's pro football and there's a standard that I have for myself, that the team has for me that unfortunately I wasn't playing up to that standard consistently enough," Cousins said Wednesday in his first comments since the change.