The Jaguars acquired Ridley (suspension) in exchange for conditional draft-pick compensation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Jacksonville's decision to trade for Ridley is more of a long-term play, as the 27-year-old receiver is suspended through at least the 2022 season. Provided he's met the conditions of his suspension that stemmed from betting on NFL games during a five-day stretch in November 2021, Ridley will be eligible for reinstatement Feb. 15. Ridley has already flashed the upside of being a No. 1 receiver -- he notably turned in a 90-1,374-9 receiving line over 15 games in 2020 -- so he should help upgrade the Jacksonville passing game in 2023 if he's able to make a smooth transition back to the field following a lengthy layoff. According to Rapoport, the draft compensation Atlanta will receive in return can be worth up to a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick, with the particulars of the deal likely to be determined by Ridley reaching certain playing-time or statistical markers for Jacksonville during the upcoming season.
Nov 1, 2022 12:08 PM EST
The league has suspended Ridley for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The league's statement indicates that the wideout bet on NFL games last season during a five-day stretch in late November, while he was away from the Falcons on the reserve non-football illness list. Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Ridley -- who last played on Oct. 24 -- is eligible for reinstatement on Feb. 15, 2023 and has three days to appeal the suspension.
Mar 7, 2022 12:47 PM EST
Ridley, who did not play since Week 7 to focus on his mental health, has not contacted members of the Falcons' front office regarding plans for next season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: There's still very little information regarding Ridley's abrupt leave of absence from the Falcons and it doesn't seem as if the franchise or player has any intentions of accelerating the issue anytime soon. Garafolo even went on to say it's possible both sides could mutually seek a trade this offseason, though that's by no means something that has been confirmed by either party. The 2018 first-round pick had his $11.12 million fifth-year, option exercised this past offseason, though it remains to be seen if that compensation would be fully guaranteed given that distinction is normally reserved for injury only. The 27-year-old finished the 2021 season with 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns across five games.
Jan 15, 2022 10:23 AM EST
Coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that he still doesn't have an update on Ridley, who remains on the reserve/non-football injury list due to a personal matter, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: Ridley has been out since Week 7 to focus on his mental well-being. At this point, he'll likely sit out the rest of the season, though nothing has been confirmed one way or the other.
Dec 22, 2021 9:07 AM EST
Coach Arthur Smith said Monday that he still doesn't have an update on Ridley's (personal) status, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Ridley was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in early November after he stepped away from football to focus on his mental well-being. While the 26-year-old is eligible to return as early as Sunday against the Jaguars, he doesn't yet have a timetable to rejoin the team. Russell Gage, Tajae Sharpe and Olamide Zaccheus will continue to serve as Atlanta's top receivers while Ridley is sidelined.
Nov 22, 2021 11:21 AM EST
Atlanta placed Ridley (personal) on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list Friday.
Analysis: The transaction means that Ridley won't be eligible to play for the next three weeks, making the Falcons' Nov. 28 game against the Jaguars the earliest possible return date for the wideout. Whether Ridley returns to action when first eligible Week 12 is uncertain, as the Falcons intend to give him as much time off as he needs after he acknowledged in a post on his personal Twitter account Oct. 31 that he's taking a break from football to focus on his mental wellbeing.
Nov 5, 2021 12:51 PM EST
Ridley (personal) announced on his personal Twitter page Sunday that he's decided "to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental health."
Analysis: Ridley previously didn't travel with his teammates to London for a Week 5 matchup with the Jets with what was termed a personal matter. Since then, the Falcons had a bye week, and Ridley returned to action last Sunday at Miami. But he was included on Atlanta's inactive list this Sunday against the Panthers, again due to a personal issue. It's unclear exactly how much time he'll spend away from the team, but there's a chance a multi-game absence is in store.
Oct 31, 2021 1:18 PM EST
Ridley won't play Sunday against the Panthers while he attends to a personal matter.
Analysis: Ridley wasn't listed on the injury report all week, but the personal issue will prevent him from suiting up for Sunday's divisional contest. Tajae Sharpe will start in his place, while Russell Gage and tight end Kyle Pitts should see increased target shares in his absence.
Oct 31, 2021 8:37 AM EST
Ridley secured four of 10 targets for 26 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 30-28 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: Ridley and Matt Ryan couldn't link up consistently, but the veteran wideout, coming off a one-game absence for personal reasons, was able to salvage his fantasy day to an extent with a five-yard scoring grab in the second quarter. Ridley's target total was his fourth straight of the double-digit variety, further cementing him as a rock-solid fantasy options, particularly in PPR formats, on a week-to-week basis. Ridley will look to up his efficiency in a Week 8 divisional home matchup against the reeling Panthers.
Oct 24, 2021 3:07 PM EST
Coach Arthur Smith said Monday that Ridley (personal) will return to practice this week, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
Analysis: Ridley sat out Week 5 for personal reasons and the Falcons were on bye Week 7, but it looks like the star wideout is now on track to be available for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. In four appearances this season, Ridley has earned double-digit targets on three occasions and never failed to achieve at least 50 receiving yards.
Oct 18, 2021 9:10 AM EST
Ridley won't travel with the Falcons to London for Sunday's game against the Jets due to a personal matter, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Along with Ridley, the Falcons will be without Russell Gage, who also won't make the trip due to an ankle injury. With his top two wide receivers out, Matt Ryan may just use his tight ends and running backs more than usual, but Atlanta's available wide receivers will be Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe, Christian Blake and Frank Darby.
Oct 7, 2021 10:39 AM EST
Ridley wasn't in attendance for Thursday's practice, but the Falcons have yet to provide an explanation for his absence, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Ridley didn't appear on the Falcons' initial Week 5 injury report released Wednesday, so the nature of his absence likely won't be known until the team reveals its second report later Thursday. Given that Thursdays tend to be the most rigorous session of the week for teams that play Sunday games, Ridley's absence wouldn't seem to be the result of a pre-planned maintenance day. The Falcons are scheduled to fly to London following Thursday's session and will hold their final practice of the week overseas Friday before playing the Jets on Sunday.
Oct 7, 2021 7:33 AM EST
Ridley caught seven of 13 targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 34-30 loss to Washington.
Analysis: The fourth-year receiver once again led the Falcons in targets and catches, but it was Cordarrelle Patterson who led the club in receiving yards. Ridley has seen double-digit targets in three straight games but his actual production has been a little disappointing, as Sunday's yardage was a season high and he has only one TD. Ridley will get a golden opportunity for a breakout in Week 5 at home against the Jets.
Oct 3, 2021 2:39 PM EST
Ridley caught eight of 11 targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Ridley led the Falcons in receptions and targets, but besides a long gain of 20 yards, he mostly was a factor on underneath routes. Through three games, Atlanta's top wideout is yet to surpass 65 yards, but he's hauled in at least five passes each contest. After tying for fifth league-wide with 1,374 receiving yards last season, Ridley still hasn't enjoyed his breakout performance under new coach Arthur Smith, yet he remains a reliable option ahead of Week 4's matchup against Washington.
Sep 26, 2021 1:41 PM EST
Ridley secured seven of 10 targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 48-25 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Analysis: Ridley made his first 2021 trip to the end zone in the third quarter, hauling in a three-yard pass from Matt Ryan to close the Falcons' deficit to 11 points at the time. The Falcons' No. 1 wideout looked the part a bit more than during a pedestrian Week 1 effort, and he'll look to capitalize on a questionable Giants secondary in a Week 3 road battle.
Sep 19, 2021 5:12 PM EST
Ridley brought in five of eight targets for 51 yards in the Falcons' 32-6 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Analysis: Ridley did pace the Falcons in receptions and receiving yards on the afternoon while also tying Kyle Pitts for the team lead in targets. Nevertheless, Ridley's final line has to be considered a fantasy disappointment in what was the Falcons' first game of the post-Julio Jones era. Time will tell whether Ridley is miscast as a No. 1 receiver, as it's difficult to draw any definitive conclusions from a game that got as out of hand in the second half as Sunday's did. The problem for Ridley and his offensive teammates is that matters could be even thornier Week 2, considering a road matchup against the Buccaneers awaits.
Sep 12, 2021 2:48 PM EST
Ridley is in uniform ahead of Sunday's preseason contest against the Browns, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's unclear if Ridley will make his exhibition debut, but Matt Ryan and Mike Davis also are dressed, meaning the Falcons may be trotting out its first-team offense for spell in the first half. If so, we may get a peek at rookie tight end Kyle Pitts working in concert with Ridley.
Aug 29, 2021 4:34 PM EST
Ridley will not play in Saturday's preseason game against Miami, AtlantaFalcons.com's Scott Bair reports.
Analysis: The Falcons are resting many of their starters, and Ridley is as important as any. With Ridley inactive the Falcons will likely take a longer look at backup receivers such as Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake, Tajae Sharpe and Frank Darby.
Aug 21, 2021 3:35 PM EST
Ridley is back at full strength and says his practice reps have been managed as part of a long-term plan, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Ridley had minor foot surgery this spring and was held out of Atlanta's offseason program, but he doesn't appear to have any restrictions at camp, apart from the Falcons limiting his reps in anticipation of a busy season. He put up 90/1,374/9 on 143 targets last year, and with Julio Jones now out of the picture, Ridley is among the favorites to lead the NFL in targets and receiving yards.
Aug 3, 2021 12:01 PM EST
Ridley (foot) is going through individual drills at the beginning of Thursday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.comreports.
Analysis: Ridley is back on the field for the start of training camp after a minor foot surgery prevented him from participating in June minicamp. Even if the Falcons ease him into team drills, he'll have plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1 against the Eagles (Sept. 12). With Julio Jones out of the picture, Ridley is among the favorites to lead the NFL in targets this year, though new coach Arthur Smith presumably hopes to install a more balanced offense in Atlanta.
Jul 29, 2021 6:52 AM EST
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