Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has officially designated Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback moving forward, confirming his commitment to avoiding quarterback changes like “musical chairs.” Ridder, who started until Week 8, briefly yielded to Taylor Heinicke but has reclaimed the starting role. Heinicke took over in recent games, including Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, where Ridder left due to a fourth-quarter hamstring strain described as “low-grade.” Despite Ridder’s subsequent fourth-quarter drive not standing, Smith expressed confidence in Ridder’s abilities.
Ridder has accumulated 1,740 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, completing 65.4% of his passes over eight starts this season. Additionally, he contributed significantly as a rusher with 32 rushes for 150 yards and four touchdowns, although he has seven fumbles this season.
With a current record of 4-6, the Falcons aim for a winning streak to contend for the NFC South title, emphasizing the importance of consistent quarterback performance. The decision to stick with Ridder signifies a strategic move towards stability in the quarterback position for the remainder of the season.
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