Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke injury update leaves door open for Desmond Ridder in Week 18

Will Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons turn to Taylor Heinicke or Desmond Ridder in Week 18?

The wise saying, “If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none,” is attributed to NFL star John Madden, a

broadcaster, coach, and video game inventor. Arthur Smith, the head coach

of the Atlanta Falcons, does not appear to be a practicing member of the Church of

Madden, at least not from what we’ve seen so far this season.

Arthur Smith and the Falcons have been operating a revolving door at quarterback all season, going back and

forth between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke with a curious amount

of frequency because of injuries, poor play, general indecision on Smith’s part, or whatever the reason may be.

Regardless of why Smith seemingly can’t settle on who he wants his starting

quarterback to be on a week to week basis, the uninspiring duo of Desmond

Ridder and Taylor Heinicke has combined to perform as a bottom ten

starting quarterback in the NFL. And now, heading into a must-win Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints,

Smith once again has to choose one of his two quarterbacks, only an ankle injury

to Heinicke might force his hand.

“QB Taylor Heinicke, who is suffering with a left ankle injury, will try

everything in his power to play, according to #Falcons coach Arthur

Smith. In the unlikely event that they find out before Friday, Desmond Ridder

will be prepared. (source: NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport)

This season, Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder have combined to

throw for 3,191 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. I’m going to assume

that this is about as terrible as you had expected. There’s really no good

response for the Falcons anywhere you look. Against Chicago this past weekend,

Heinicke appeared to be overpowered. A week prior, in a heartbreaking defeat to

Carolina, Ridder threw one of the worst interceptions of the season.

To qualify for the playoffs, Atlanta would still need Carolina to upset the Tampa

Bay Buccaneers, even if they complete their season with a victory over New Orleans.