Kirk Cousins ​​peels his buns when eating burgers to avoid injury after ruptured Achilles tendon

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​is entering his 13th NFL season at age 36. At that age, most in his position have their own strict lifestyle regulations.

Tom Brady had his signature avocado ice cream, and now Cousins ​​can claim that pulling the burger buns off is his signature rule. Cousins ​​told GQ on Tuesday that not only does he pull the buns off his burgers, but he usually doesn't even eat them anymore.

“When I eat a burger, I peel off the bun. I still hold the bun, but only to hold on. I just eat everything else except the bun,” Cousins ​​said.

Cousins ​​added that this is all an attempt to avoid gluten. Avoiding gluten has become one of the most common dietary restrictions among aging NFL players and athletes in general in recent years as more and more research has been published on the physical effects of gluten.

Other prominent NFL quarterbacks who avoid gluten include Brady and Drew Brees.

But Cousins ​​goes one step further and avoids grains altogether – a decision based on his specific blood chemistry.

“I did some tests and blood work and although many people are gluten-free, I found out that for me it's not just gluten, but that I have to cut out grains. That includes rice, corn, things that my body doesn't react well to,” Cousins ​​told GQ.

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Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​​​#18 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball during offseason OTA workouts at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The sudden lifestyle change was inspired by Cousins' experience with a torn Achilles tendon, which he suffered last season on October 29 in a win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Cousins ​​​​had one of the best seasons of his career in 2022. But the injury nearly ended his six-year career with the Minnesota Vikings.

Cousins ​​signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, while the Vikings signed Sam Darnold as a free agent and used their first-round draft pick in this year's draft to select JJ McCarthy, who had already suffered a season-ending torn meniscus in training camp.

But now Cousins ​​wants to be at his physical best for the Falcons, despite potential competition at the quarterback position. Despite signing Cousins ​​to the huge contract, the Falcons still used their first-round pick in this year's draft to select a quarterback as well – Michael Penix Jr.

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Kirk Cousins ​​​​#18 and Michael Penix Jr. #9 look on during offseason OTA workouts at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Cousins ​​is projected to be the starter to open the season, but with Penix on the roster and a first-round quarterback salary of $22.8 million and a signing bonus of $13.4 million over the next four years, Cousins ​​is being scrutinized more closely.

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That's why he's been closely monitoring everything he eats to maximize his chances of avoiding another injury this year.

Some experts have found that eliminating gluten reduces inflammation in some people. Inflammation makes muscle tissue less flexible and tendons such as the Achilles tendon and meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament stiffer and more brittle. Even if nothing tears, inflammation can still lead to joint pain, stiffness and other problems.

Cousins ​​is in his late 30s, and for him, burger buns might be one of the many sacrifices he has to make to continue to compete in the NFL.

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