Falcons’ Taylor Heinicke replaces QB Desmond Ridder vs. Titans
Instead, Smith insisted, the switch to Taylor Heinicke came out of caution for Ridder’s health after he had been evaluated for — but eventually cleared from having — a concussion following the first half of a 28-23 loss to the Titans.
Smith wouldn’t say whether Ridder or Heinicke would be the starter next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, instead saying that he’s “always going to be conservative” when it comes to medical decisions — something he has demonstrated throughout his two-plus years as Atlanta’s coach.
“We just finished this game; obviously we got a lot of confidence in Des,” Smith said. “We didn’t take him out for performance issues, but that’s why Taylor’s here — to be able to come in as a backup and give us a shot to win.”
Even though Ridder said everything went well with the testing, he said coaches felt he was “a little off” so they instead turned to Heinicke in the second half. Ridder said he didn’t necessarily feel off, but “there were a couple of plays that got mixed up.”
Ridder said he didn’t know which play it was that caused enough alarm for him to get checked for a concussion. One of the plays that was mixed up was late in the second quarter and another was early in the first. He said he will have further testing Monday morning in case concussion symptoms present themselves later on.
Ridder completed 8 of 12 passes for 71 yards while being sacked five times and losing one fumble — his seventh turnover in three weeks — in the first half.
Heinicke found out about the switch when he heard Smith calling his name while Heinicke was using the bathroom.
He came out and was told “you’re in.”
Heinicke entered the game and completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown. With him in the game, the Falcons scored 20 second-half points, picking up an offense that was stagnant in the first half with Ridder at quarterback, gaining just 89 yards.
Heinicke and receiver Drake London, who had five catches for 55 yards, said Ridder was helping Heinicke and the offense from the sideline while he was out.
“It didn’t faze him at all,” London said. “He just kept us going and kept Heinicke going as well, keeping him up.”
Heinicke said after the game he doesn’t believe he should be the starter.
“This is Desmond’s team. He’s played great throughout the year,” Heinicke said. “Obviously there’s a couple hiccups here and there, but he’s progressing every week. He’s working hard. Logan [Woodside] and I are doing everything we can to help him in any way we can.
“Obviously, ultimately, that’s Arthur’s decision [on who starts], but tomorrow we’re going to go in and try to get better from the film and proceed as usual.”
Heinicke said he is going to approach things just as he has the past two-plus seasons as the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick and then Carson Wentz in Washington: Do what he can to help Ridder as best as he can.
When Smith was asked if at some point a decision might come because of performance instead of just medical concerns, Smith said he felt Ridder was “throwing the ball pretty well and obviously we’ve got a lot of confidence, that’s why he’s our starter.”
Ridder admitted to some difficulties over the past few weeks, saying he didn’t know what might happen going forward.
“Everyone stepped up and did their part and what they needed to do,” Ridder said. “We’re going to go back tomorrow and look up and see where we need to do better — both offense, defense and special teams — and come back ready to work and get a win at home.”