Michael RothsteinESPN Staff Writer November 1, 2023, 11:44am ET1 minute read
Taylor Heinicke will replace Desmond Ridder as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, coach Arthur Smith announced Wednesday.
The Falcons chose Ridder as their No. 1 quarterback last offseason and signed Heinicke as their top backup in March. Heinicke has maintained – at the time of his signing and after Sunday’s defeat – that it was Ridder’s team and that he was there to help however he could.
Heinicke, 30, made his first appearance with Atlanta on Sunday, completing 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown after replacing Ridder, who was being tested for concussion symptoms.
Ridder was released but did not return Sunday, although Smith said the second-year quarterback was not withdrawn because of performance issues.
Over the last three weeks, Ridder has committed seven turnovers – three interceptions and four lost fumbles – with Atlanta being in the red zone on four of those turnovers. His six lost fumbles this season are the most by a Falcons player since Michael Vick in 2004.
In his career, Heinicke has appeared in 34 games – including 25 starts – with Houston, Carolina, Washington and Atlanta, completing 63.7% of his passes for 5,920 yards, with 35 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
The 24-year-old Ridder was drafted by the Falcons in the third round by Cincinnati last year. In 12 career starts, he has completed 64.8% of his passes for 2,409 yards, with eight touchdowns and six interceptions.