Desmond Ridder, the quarterback, is now benched by the Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons have officially selected their starting quarterback for Week 9 following days of evaluation. In the game against the Minnesota Vikings, veteran Taylor Heinicke will receive the start.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith said Desmond Ridder will be as the No. 2 quarterback this week.
Smith said they are not focused on the long-term, just against Minnesota.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) November 1, 2023
Arthur Smith, the head coach, stated that the change is only in effect for this week. Ridder was supposed to lose because the Falcons made the decision to start him as their starting quarterback over the offseason. He sort of lost it. Ridder has made seven mistakes in the last three weeks, four of which occurred when Atlanta was in the red zone.
Heinicke replaced Ridder, who underwent testing for concussion symptoms, on Sunday. In his debut, he completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown.
Heinicke played in 34 games during his career, splitting the throws for 5,920 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions while with Houston, Carolina, Washington, and Atlanta.
