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FLOWY BRANCH, Ga – Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley will not travel to London for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets due to an undisclosed personal matter, the team announced Thursday afternoon in a press release.
“We are supporting Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy in this regard,” said coach Arthur Smith.
Ridley is one of three Falcons not to travel to England along with wide receiver Russell Gage (ankle) and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (ankle).
Ridley, 26, has 27 catches for 255 yards and one touchdown this season and just played a seven catch, 80 yard game against Washington on Sunday.
With Ridley out of the lineup and Gage still returning from an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 against Tampa Bay, Atlanta’s top receivers against the Jets on Sunday would be Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe.
Zacchéaus replaced the wide receiver in Gage’s absence and has six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown this season. During his career, he played 25 games with three starts. Sharpe, who signed with Atlanta in the offseason, has had four catches for 29 yards this year. He last started a game in 2019 while at Tennessee.
The Falcons could also look to use other options in Ridley’s absence. Cordarrelle Patterson has been a mix of running back and wide receiver for the Falcons this season and tight ends Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst are both players with high-level pass-detection skills. All three – like Ridley – were first-round picks when they were drafted.
Pitts said on Thursday he didn’t think his role would change if Ridley wasn’t able to play on Sunday.
“I don’t think it would change anything,” Pitts said. “I’m always going to be the tight end that I am and contribute in any way.”
The Falcons also have wide receivers Christian Blake and rookie Frank Darby on the roster. Juwan Green, who the team temporarily elevated from the practice squad in Week 3 against the Giants, could find himself elevated again despite not playing against New York. Austin Trammell and Keelan Doss, who have 11 career catches for 133 yards, are also on the practice squad.
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