Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder attempted 39 passes and completed 23 throws for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Unsurprisingly, he didn't throw his first TD pass until the game was nearly out of reach -- it happened with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. He attempted to lead a futile comeback, but it was too little, too late. His second interception was on a Hail Mary attempt that failed, but he was mostly ineffective against one of the league's worst pass defenses. He'll likely not start next week anyway. Starting QB Aidan O'Connell (knee) is expected to make his return in Week 16, and Ridder will be sent back to the bench.
Dec 17, 2024 1:13 AM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder will start in a revenge game against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, on Monday Night Football. Meanwhile, Aidan O'Connell (knee), who was listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his left knee, is officially inactive and will serve as the emergency third QB. O'Connell was initially feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury when he was hurt in the Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it ended up being a bone bruise. If he recovers this week, O'Connell could be an option for the Raiders in Week 16 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it might also depend on how Ridder fares against Atlanta. The 25-year-old will be making his first start of the year after going 12-for-18 for 101 yards in relief of O'Connell in Week 14. With limited offensive weapons around him, we're expecting Ridder to struggle to move the ball consistently on Monday.
Dec 16, 2024 7:14 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to make his first start of the season on Monday night against his old team, the Atlanta Falcons, according to sources. Aidan O'Connell (knee) is listed as questionable with a bone bruise in his knee. He's expected to work out before the game to test his knee, but the expectation is that the Raiders will go with Ridder in this one. The Raiders initially feared that O'Connell suffered a season-ending injury in last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it ended up just being a bone bruise, which means he could return in Week 16 to face the Jacksonville Jaguars if he can make more progress in practice on a short week. Ridder went 12-for-18 for 101 yards without a TD or interception in relief of O'Connell against the Bucs. The turnover-prone signal-caller has a good matchup against Atlanta but has limited fantasy upside as a low-end QB2 on Monday evening.
Dec 16, 2024 12:28 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder is not a starting option in fantasy, even if in he ends up playing Monday against the Atlanta Falcons. Raiders starter Aidan O'Connell (knee) is questionable, and with Gardner Minshew (collarbone) on injured reserve, Ridder would start if O'Connell cannot. The former Cincinnati Bearcat is on his third team in a year and is now a backup option for a team in contention for the first overall pick. A manager who turns to Ridder in the fantasy playoffs is asking to start their offseason early.
Dec 15, 2024 8:19 AM EST
Per head coach Antonio Pierce, if Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (knee) is not healthy enough to suit up for their meeting with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, Desmond Ridder would start against his old team in Week 15. New reports of O'Connell are that tests reveal he's picked up a bone bruise in his knee. Admittedly, it is a much less severe outcome than we could have imagined yesterday. Still, while the 26-year-old hasn't been ruled out of the Monday night matchup, it hasn't explicitly been said that he's starting. With his status in doubt, Ridder would slot in as the team's QB1, just as he did this past Sunday in their loss to the Buccaneers. We'll see how this shakes out with an extra day of rest in store for Las Vegas ahead of Week 15. Keep an eye out for the Raiders' first practice report of the week on Thursday.
Dec 9, 2024 3:12 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 12 of his 18 pass attempts for 101 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also took one sack and rushed for three yards. Ridder entered in relief of Aidan O'Connell (knee), who was carted to the locker room and quickly ruled during the third quarter. The 25-year-old hasn't started a game this season, but he has made three appearances coming off the bench for Vegas. He could be headed for his first start of the year next week if O'Connell is forced to miss extended time. In Week 15, the Raiders face the Atlanta Falcons, potentially putting Ridder in a position to get revenge against his old team.
Dec 8, 2024 4:56 PM EST
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder stepped in for starting QB Gardner Minshew II (collarbone), who suffered a season-ending injury near the end of the team's Week 12 loss to the Denver Broncos. Ridder completed five of ten passes for 64 yards, carried the ball one time for three yards, and was sacked twice. He lost a fumble on one of his sacks. He only played the final 2:50 of the game, so he didn't have many chances to make an impact, as the game was out of reach at that point. But what he showed wasn't great. It's not yet known if the former Falcon will start in Week 13 -- Aidan O'Connell (thumb) remains on injured reserve with a broken thumb. The team will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13, who've looked mortal lately, but Ridder is tough to justify starting even in 2QB/Superflex leagues.
Nov 25, 2024 1:07 AM EST
The Athletic's Vic Tafur writes that the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make the change to quarterback Desmond Ridder after Gardner Minshew II was benched for a third time this year in the Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Nothing is official yet, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Raiders go with Ridder under center coming off their bye to face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. Aidan O'Connell (finger) is on Injured Reserve. Head coach Antonio Pierce is feeling the pressure after losing five straight games to fall to 2-7 before the Week 10 bye. After Ridder took over for Minshew in the loss to the Bengals, he went 11-for-16 for 74 yards and a touchdown while also losing a fumble. The former Falcons QB won't be anything more than a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues if he gets the start against a Dolphins D that just kept the Rams out of the end zone all game on Monday.
Nov 12, 2024 11:10 PM EST
The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Desmond Ridder off of the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad on Monday, according to sources. Ridder will give the Raiders extra QB depth after the team placed Aidan O'Connell (thumb) on Injured Reserve after he fractured his right thumb in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. O'Connell is expected to miss four to six weeks with his injury. Ridder, the former third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 out of Cincinnati, did not see the field at all in Arizona and is coming off a 2023 campaign in Atlanta that saw him throw for 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 64.2% of his pass attempts. For now, he'll serve as Gardner Minshew II's backup with the Raiders. If he's forced into action, Ridder will be a desperation QB2, at best, in superflex formats.
Oct 21, 2024 8:16 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) to their practice squad on Wednesday, according to sources. Ridder returns to the desert just a day after he was waived as the Cardinals cut their roster down to 53 players. The 24-year-old signal-caller failed to prove to the Atlanta Falcons that he was their franchise QB in his two seasons, and now he'll enter the 2024 regular season as the QB3 in Arizona behind Kyler Murray and Clayton Tune. The former second-rounder out of Cincinnati is no longer on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues after completing only 64% of his 503 pass attempts in his two years in Atlanta while throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In addition to his 12 picks, Ridder was turnover-prone with 15 total fumbles, including 12 in 2023.
Aug 28, 2024 1:52 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) on Tuesday, according to a source. Ridder, who was put in the league's concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, had been in a competition with Clayton Tune for the backup job behind Kyler Murray this summer. That job will obviously fall to Tune now to begin the 2024 regular season. The Cardinals acquired Ridder in an offseason trade in March with the Atlanta Falcons after the 24-year-old failed to deliver in two seasons in Atlanta. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati struggled with turnovers in his 19 games (17 starts) while also completing 64% of his 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Ridder doesn't join Arizona's practice squad, he'll look for backup work elsewhere.
Aug 27, 2024 1:30 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that backup quarterback Desmond Ridder (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after he was forced from the preseason finale on Sunday against the Denver Broncos early due to a head injury. Before Ridder left the contest at Empower Field, he went 10-for-16 passing for 111 yards and carried the ball twice for 25 yards. In his first year in Arizona, the 24-year-old is expected to open the year as the primary backup to starter Kyler Murray. However, if he cannot clear the concussion protocol in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8, it will be Clayton Tune backing up Murray. The former third-rounder quickly fell out of favor with the Atlanta Falcons in 19 games over two seasons, mainly due to turnover issues and overall mediocre performances.
Aug 26, 2024 2:51 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder is currently listed as the No. 2 QB on the second depth chart of the 2024 season that the team released before their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. It doesn't mean that the QB battle for the No. 2 job between Ridder and Clayton Tune is over this summer, though. Ridder is trying to secure the backup job behind Kyler Murray in the desert this year after quickly flaming out in Atlanta after the Falcons took him in the third round in 2022. Both Ridder and Tune will get plenty of action in the final two preseason games with Murray not playing at all until Week 1. Ridder struggled with turnovers for the Falcons and quickly proved that he wasn't their franchise signal-caller in 19 games in two seasons. He's off the fantasy radar for now.
Aug 16, 2024 6:32 PM EST
The Arizona Cardinals are acquiring former starting quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, according to a source. Ridder squandered his chance as the full-time starter for the Falcons in 2023 by throwing for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts), eventually being benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati has also lost nine fumbles in 19 games (17 starts) in his two NFL seasons. Atlanta's signing of Kirk Cousins made Ridder expendable, and he'll now make for a solid backup option in Arizona for starter Kyler Murray. The 24-year-old obviously won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2024 now that he's firmly entrenched in a backup role.
Mar 14, 2024 1:30 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to be traded now that the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, according to sources. The Falcons have been discussing a deal with other teams, but nothing is in place yet. The 24-year-old third-round pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati lost the starting gig to Taylor Heinicke last year and finished with a 64.2 completion percentage, 2,836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts). In his 17 NFL starts over two seasons, Ridder hasn't looked like a starter, throwing 14 TDs and 12 interceptions with 7.0 yards per attempt. He's also lost nine fumbles. At best, Ridder could land with a team like the Denver Broncos that would give him a chance to compete for a starting role in 2024. Clearly, Ridder's fantasy stock in dynasty/keeper leagues has taken a big hit after his disappointing 2023 campaign.
Mar 14, 2024 1:01 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons finished 21st in the NFL in 2023 in EPA per dropback with quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder, according to TruMedia. Only six teams threw more than Atlanta's 17 interceptions, and Ridder added 12 lost fumbles. The Falcons appear to be just a quarterback away from being true contenders, and the team is primed to search for an upgrade over Heinicke and Ridder in 2024, either through the draft, free agency or the trade market under new head coach Raheem Morris. Depending on the signal-caller that the Falcons add this offseason, their offense should be expected to be much more aggressive under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, which should benefit key offensive pieces such as running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London.
Feb 16, 2024 2:44 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder has struggled throughout most of the season, but ended his 2023 campaign with a bang. The young signal-caller completed 22-of-30 passing attempts for 291 yards with two touchdowns and one interception during the Week 18 loss to the New Orleans Saints. It was a nice finish to the season for Ridder, but it probably wasn't enough to save his job in Atlanta. This season, Ridder threw for 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was benched on two separate occasions for backup Taylor Heinicke. The expectation is that the Falcons add to their quarterback room this offseason and move on from Ridder. Regardless, he won't be much of a fantasy option on any team heading into 2024.
Jan 7, 2024 9:16 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is being benched for Taylor Heinicke for the second time this year, likely signaling an end for him as the starter long-term in Atlanta. Dating back to 2022, Ridder has started 16 games, going 8-8 while completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,236 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He's under contract for the next two seasons and should make for a solid option in a backup role if that's a role he's willing to take Given the state of the team at 6-8 right now, it's hard to imagine head coach Arthur Smith will give Ridder a third chance at the starting gig. However, it's also doubtful the Falcons are looking at Heinicke as the long-term answer under center. He's 12-14-1 as an NFL starter and has been marginally better than Ridder in his two starts this year.
Dec 19, 2023 12:07 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder had a tough time getting anything going against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The young signal-caller completed 12-of-20 passing attempts for 152 yards with a touchdown and one interception in the loss. Ridder looked lackluster all game long until late in the fourth quarter. He finally put together a decent drive until he an awful interception on his back foot in the red zone. After that, the Panthers drove down the field and kicked a game-winning field goal. Head coach Arthur Smith didn't commit to Ridder being the starter next week. Regardless, Ridder is barely a fantasy option for the Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Dec 17, 2023 9:26 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder posted a 347-yard performance during last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite a nice day on paper, Ridder still made multiple mistakes with an interception and fumble in the defeat. Ridder continues to struggle with his accuracy and was lucky to get out of that game with only one interception. It won't get easier for Ridder against the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 15. A defensive unit that has allowed the fewest amount of fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Ridder will be avoidable in most fantasy formats for this week.
Dec 15, 2023 9:44 AM EST
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