FLOWERY BRANCH, Georgia – The Atlanta Falcons are changing quarterbacks yet again.
Taylor Heinicke will start against Indianapolis on Sunday, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday, replacing Desmond Ridder for the second time this season.
Going back and forth was something Falcons coach Arthur Smith did not want to do, repeatedly stating that he did not want to go on a quarterback carousel. But he mentioned it Monday when discussing the possibility of switching back to the position.
“That’s usually not a great situation to have,” he said. “You want to be fair and objective, and you obviously want to give people a chance.” It was a faith in him, regardless of what happened. Nobody’s career is over, but we have to do what is best for this team right now.”
Ridder made another critical error, this time throwing an interception in the red zone on Atlanta’s final drive, which led to Carolina’s game-winning touchdown. Ridder’s red zone turnover was his sixth of the season, the most in the NFL.
Ridder completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 11 fumbles this season. In addition, he ran 51 times for 193 yards and five touchdowns.
Smith had started the season with Ridder before replacing him after seven turnovers in three games in October. Heinicke started losses against Minnesota and Arizona and has completed 55.4% of his passes for 498 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception this season.
Heinicke has a 12-14-1 record as a starter. With Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, and Houston, he has completed 63.2% of his passes for 6,243 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.
The Falcons are making the change two days after Smith stated that they would re-evaluate everything following Atlanta’s 9-7 loss to Carolina, in which the franchise scored one touchdown against the NFL’s worst team.
It was Atlanta’s second straight loss, dropping the Falcons from first place in the NFC South and control of their playoff fate to 6-8 and needing to win games plus get help to make the playoffs, which begin against the Colts on Sunday.
The Athletic broke the news of Ridder’s switch to Heinicke.
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