West Coast's younger players have resumed pre-season training after a summer which has seen the former captain and Brownlow medallist sacked, and two inquiries launched into the club's disastrous disciplinary record.
Sumich, who almost left the Eagles himself to join Carlton before agreeing a new deal, said he believed Cousins will play football again, but not for some time.
And Sumich said despite the fallout for the club from the six-time All Australian's drug addiction, he still had some backing from inside the Eagles.