Raheem Morris: Kirk Cousins handled demotion "with class"

On Tuesday night, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins got a phone call from coach Raheem Morris. And Morris had a message for Cousins — he's being benched.

Morris was asked during a Wednesday press conference about Cousins's reaction to the news.

"You know, obviously, anytime you take a step down and a demotion of whatever the case may be, it's not gonna be met with great appreciation, and all those things," Morris told reporters. "But Kirk was a professional. He's a pro. He's a man. He's a great human. He's a great father. He's a great football player. He's done a lot of great things for us this year. He handled it with class. He's an absolute professional. I can't say enough good things about who the man is and how he is and what it is, but obviously it comes with some disappointment when you lose your job."

Morris said there were "no injury concerns" with Cousins, and that it was only a "football decision."

Cousins will be the No. 2 quarterback this week, as the Falcons face the Giants and Michael Penix, Jr. gets his first NFL start.

The Falcons have no other options on the active roster. Nathan Peterman is on the team's practice squad.