Tajae Sharpe
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and Feleipe Franks participate in an offseason conditioning program at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
With QB decision in spotlight, Falcons need WR, edge rusher

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:53 AM EDT

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) and running back Alvin Kamara (41) celebrate their touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Saints expect to be 'peeking' at scoreboard against Falcons

By Charles Odum Jan. 06, 2022 12:26 PM EST

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, left, speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-16. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons show progress by remaining relevant through December

By Charles Odum Dec. 27, 2021 03:43 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Trevon Diggs (7) celebrates intercepting a pass thrown by Washington Football Team's Taylor Heinicke in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
The Latest: Washington brings benches, just as Cowboys did

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2021 11:58 AM EST

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds is caught by Arizona Cardinals free safeties Jalen Thompson, top, and Deionte Thompson (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
Falcons look to protect fading playoff hopes against Lions

By The Associated Press Dec. 23, 2021 10:10 AM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback C.J. Henderson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Falcons' Gage emerging as Ryan's latest go-to wide receiver

By Charles Odum Dec. 22, 2021 04:42 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) jogs off the field after the Falcons were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Red-zone woes move Falcons closer to another losing season

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2021 03:02 PM EST

Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end B.J. Hill during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver. Bridgwater left the game after being injured on the play. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Broncos QB Bridgewater in hospital with head injury

By The Associated Press Dec. 19, 2021 08:26 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
49ers beat Falcons 31-13 for 5th win in 6 games

By Josh Dubow Dec. 19, 2021 07:03 PM EST

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)
Falcons place WR Ridley on reserve/non-football injury list

Nov. 06, 2021 09:45 AM 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)
Ryan looking for committee approach to fill in for WR Ridley

By Charles Odum Nov. 03, 2021 04:07 PM EDT

A fan dressed in a Halloween watches teams warm up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons 10/31/2021

Oct. 31, 2021 12:23 PM EDT

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)
Falcons WR Ridley misses game to deal with mental health

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2021 11:56 AM EDT

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Isaiah Ford (87) center celebrates scoring a touchdown, with teammates tight end Mike Gesicki (88), left, and wide receiver Mack Hollins (86), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins 10/24/2021

Oct. 24, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

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)
Falcons' Ridley 'flying around' in return after missing week

By Charles Odum Oct. 20, 2021 03:03 PM EDT

Fans gather outside the stadium before NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons 10/10/2021

Oct. 10, 2021 07:19 AM EDT

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) misses the catch against Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons top WR Ridley to miss Jets game for personal reasons

By Charles Odum Oct. 07, 2021 02:20 PM EDT

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) embraces with Washington Football Team center Tyler Larsen (69) before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons 10/3/2021

Oct. 03, 2021 12:25 PM EDT

New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) kneels during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants 9/26/2021

Sep. 26, 2021 01:09 PM EDT