"ATL ReKap: Falcons Secure Kirk Cousins, Braves Triumph, Hawks Face Injury Setback

Good evening everyone and welcome back to another blog on ATL ReKap. I hope you all are having an amazing day as we have some exciting news to share to start the blog off. To all of my Muslim readers out there, I hope you had a great first day of Ramadan, and I wish you all a great Ramadan ahead of you. Let’s jump right into it.

Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins has officially signed with the Atlanta Falcons today as free agency struck at noon. The veteran quarterback has agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported. Cousins' deal includes a $50 million signing bonus and $90 million guaranteed over the next two seasons with an additional $10 million guaranteed in 2026 for a whopping $100 million total in guarantees, per Pelissero. Cousins' move to Atlanta was first announced by his agent, Mike McCartney.

The Falcons have also signed 49ers TE Charlie Woerner to a three-year deal worth $12 million, per ESPN’s Mike Rothstein. Woerner is here to block, bluntly. The Falcons may see some untapped pass-catching upside in the Georgia product, but he has 11 receptions in four NFL seasons and isn’t going to be more than the seventh or eighth option in this passing attack.

Atlanta Braves

This afternoon, the Braves faced the Minnesota Twins, taking home the W, 3-0. Spencer Strider took the mound to start the game, pitching a successful five innings, giving up two hits, no runs, one walk, and striking out nine batters.

The Braves' scoring started early as Ozzie Albies cranked a home run to right field in the first putting up a run. The Braves scored their final two runs in the eighth as Luis Liberato singled on a line drive ball to center field bringing home Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Chadwick Tromp.

The Braves produced a total of 11 hits, as Travis d’Arnaud, Tromp, and Jordan Luplow each had two hits, and Cody Milligan, Albies, Marcell Ozuna, Alvarez, and Liberato each had one.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is slowly returning from an irritation in the meniscus on his right knee, the knee which ended this season after tearing his ACL. He is expected to return by Opening Day in full health.

The Braves are set to play the Pittsburgh Pirates tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 as the new addition fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation, Reynaldo Lopez takes the mound coming in at 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA. Stay tuned after the game for a recap!

Atlanta Hawks

Shifting gears to the Hawks, Saddiq Bey left last night's game vs. New Orleans after hyperextending his left knee. An MRI taken earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex revealed a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Bey will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Details regarding surgery will be provided at a later date. Get well soon, Bey, and have a speedy recovery. With Bey out, De’Andre Hunter will most likely take his spot in the starting lineup. The Hawks now have Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Saddiq Bey out due to injuries, so let’s hope that Young and Johnson can recover soon to keep our playoff hopes alive.

As we bring this blog to a close, I wish each of you a fantastic rest of the evening. Let's make the most of the day and share some love with our parents and loved ones – they truly deserve it!