FLOWERY BRANCH (Ga.) -- Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley won't travel to London for Sunday’s game against New York Jets due to an undisclosed personal issue, the team announced Thursday in a statement.
Coach Arthur Smith stated that they were there to support Calvin at this difficult time, and would respect his privacy regarding the matter.
Ridley, along with Russell Gage (ankle), and Marlon Davidson(ankle), are the only Falcons not traveling.
Ridley, 26, is coming off an 80-yard, seven-catch game against Washington. He has now accumulated 27 catches for 258 yards and a touchdown. Ridley dropped two passes Sunday, despite the fact that he had accumulated a season-high yardage. This was only the second time in his professional career that he has dropped two passes in one game.
"Up and down. "We expect more, and Calvin knows it," Smith stated Monday about Ridley's performance in Washington. "I don't tell anything to the players that I'm not telling them. He is one of our best guys. He is one of our captains. He has higher expectations for himself than us so I call him his number. Calvin is a man I believe in, but we all can play better.
Gage is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in Week 2 against Tampa Bay and Ridley is out of the lineup. Atlanta's top receivers against Jets would be Olamide Zaccheaus (Tajae Sharpe) on Sunday.
Zaccheaus, who has six catches totaling 69 yards and one touchdown this season, has taken over as Gage's wide receiver. He's been a part of 25 games, with three starts. Sharpe signed in the offseason with Atlanta and has four catches for 29 yard this year. In 2019, he played for Tennessee.
In Ridley's absence, the Falcons may also consider other options. Cordarrelle Patterson was a combination running back/receiver for the Falcons this year, while tight ends Kyle Pitts (and Hayden Hurst) both possess high-level pass-catching abilities. Like Ridley, all three were first-round draft picks.
Pitts stated Thursday that he does not believe his role will change if Ridley is unable to play Sunday.
Pitts stated, "I don’t think that would make any difference." "I will continue to be the tight end that I am and contribute in whatever way possible."
Christian Blake, a rookie receiver for the Falcons, and Frank Darby are also on the team's roster. Juwan Green was temporarily promoted from the practice squad against the Giants in Week 3. He could be elevated again, even though he did not play against New York. Austin Trammell, Keelan Doss (who has 11 career catches of 133 yards), are also part of the practice squad.
