Falcons deal with loss of Ridley, lack of deep pass threat
FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, file photo. Matt Ryan is looking to see the Atlanta Falcons' offense continue its improvement when the team returns from its bye week for Sunday's game in Miami. Having top target Calvin Ridley back in the lineup should help the offense. Ryan said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, Ridley “was flying around” in his return to practice after missing the Falcons' last game for personal reasons. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)

Oct. 20, 2021 01:50 PM EDT
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Oct. 31, 2021 02:22 PM EDT
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) kneels on the turf after the Carolina Panthers recovered a Falcons on-side kick during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 19-13. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) kneels on the turf after the Carolina Panthers recovered a Falcons on-side kick during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 19-13. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Oct. 31, 2021 04:29 PM EDT
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Oct. 31, 2021 03:51 PM EDT
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs out of the pocket against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs out of the pocket against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Oct. 31, 2021 02:28 PM EDT
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Avery Williams (35) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Avery Williams (35) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Oct. 31, 2021 03:52 PM EDT