The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that Desmond Ridder has regained the starting quarterback role for this week and the rest of the season.
The move comes amid a hamstring injury to Taylor Heinicke, who started the past two games.
“There was a lot of things going on,” Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said. “Everybody’s got their own stories or you look at the history certain things that have gone on with different players and quarterbacks and things have come up.
“… So there’s a lot going on but I think things, the way they worked out, I think we’re in a good spot and certainly Des is prepared and fired up and ready to go.”
Smith said Logan Woodside would be Ridder’s primary backup this week against visiting New Orleans if Heinicke is unavailable to play. The Falcons had a bye in Week 11.
Ridder started the Falcons’ first eight games before being evaluated for a concussion during a game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 29. Heinicke entered that game and started the past two for Atlanta (4-6).
Ridder, 24, has completed 65.4 of his passes for 1,740 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions in nine games this season. He was selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Heinicke, 30, completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 498 yards with three touchdowns and one pick in parts of three games this season.
–Field Level Media
Juuse Saros made 33 saves and the visiting Nashville Predators defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 on Sunday night. Filip Forsberg and Yakov Trenin scored for the Predators, who had lost…
Brad Marchand scored a natural hat trick in the third period as the Boston Bruins came from behind to defeat the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Sunday night. The…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans went over 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season by catching seven passes for 162 yards and one touchdown in Sunday’s 21-18 victory…
Brad Marchand nabs hat trick to send Bruins past Jackets
Bucs WR Mike Evans reaches 1,000 receiving yards for 10th time
Brandon Angel, Stanford blast San Diego
Artemi Panarin racks up 4 points as Rangers dispatch Sharks