Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 1

Arthur Smith said at a Monday press conference that he is still considering what direction to go at quarterback for their Week 16 matchup with the Colts. Logan Woodside is also on the roster, but Smith said that Taylor Heinicke is the only choice other than Desmond Ridder for this week.

Following their bye, the team went back to Ridder because they didn't want to keep switching QBs week-to-week. But as the story said, Ridder threw a brutal interception at a key point in the game and that may be enough for the team to make yet another change. We'll hopefully know more by Wednesday.

Once again, no Marquise Brown (heel) during the open portion of Cardinals practice on Wednesday.

Related Players: Trey McBride, Greg Dortch, Rondale Moore

The last time we saw Hollywood Brown was in Week 13, when he received one target on 20 routes, which he did not haul in. Trey McBride has morphed into the No. 1 receiving option on the Cardinals, and already has a nice rapport with Kyler Murray. No other receiving options should be started unless we have a full clearance soon for Brown.

TE Trey McBride was out working during the open portion of Cardinals practice. WR Hollywood Brown was not.

Related Players: Greg Dortch, Rondale Moore, Kyler Murray

It's looking like the Arizona receiving group could be in flux this week, with Michael Wilson already declared out and Marquise Brown needing a little help to suit up. With Trey McBride returning to practice on Friday, he could be in for a very healthy Week 13 workload.

Jonathan Gannon: WR Michael Wilson, CB Starling Thomas, CB Antonio Hamilton will not play Sunday. Everyone else is TBD, including Hollywood Brown, Trey McBride.

Related Players: Greg Dortch, Rondale Moore

With Wilson missing Week 12, Greg Dortch was targeted nine times, and although he caught a touchdown, he gained only 27 yards on three receptions. The jury's still out on Marquise Brown's availability, but he should be the only receiver we are concerned about in most fantasy lineups.

49ers DNP: DT Arik Armstead (foot), RB Jordan Mason (hamstring), WR Ray-Ray McCloud (rib), T Trent Williams (resting player)

Eagles DNP: TE Grant Calcaterra (ankle), DT Fletcher Cox (groin), LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring), S Justin Evans (knee), TE Dallas Goedert (forearm)

Related Players: Jack Stoll

It doesn't look like Goedert is trending towards playing in Week 13, so he'll likely miss at least one more week with his forearm injury. Jack Stoll has technically seen an increased workload, but that has parlay into four targets and 17 yards over the last two weeks. Goedert will return to a top-ten TE role when eligible.

In open portion of Cardinals practice, TE Trey McBride is out here but in baseball cap and just watching.

Did not see:
WR Michael Wilson
WR Marquise Brown
S Jalen Thompson
CB Starling Thomas V
CB Antonio Hamilton

Related Players: Greg Dortch, Rondale Moore

Things are trending in a poor direction for the Cardinals offense this week, ahead of a tough Steelers matchup. Missing both guys would further put the squeeze on Kyler Murray's fantasy value, as he's already playing behind a suspect offensive line. Dortch and Moore could both be in line for desperation FLEX options.

Falcons HC Arthur Smith said team is going with Desmond Ridder.

Also, they'll see how much Taylor Heinicke (hamstring) can practice this week.

The Falcons said they would ponder their QB situation over the break and announce a starter for Week 12 who would start the rest of the season. The team didn't want to be in a week-to-week QB situation like they were for three weeks leading into the bye week. So, Ridder will get the nod for the rest of the season with Heinicke serving as the backup as long as he's healthy.

Desmond Ridder’s play gave head coach Arthur Smith something to think about over the bye week.

Smith has said he doesn’t want his team’s quarterback situation to remain week-to-week once Atlanta gets back from the time off. He noted after Sunday’s loss that Ridder’s play “will definitely have an effect.”

Related players: Taylor Heinicke

Ridder was not supposed to play for the Falcons on Sunday as Heinicke earned the start. We reported last week the team was going to decide their QB for the rest-of-season after the bye. But, Heinicke pulled his hamstring in the second half of the eventual loss to Arizona. Ridder completed 4-of-6 passes for 39 yards and running in a 9-yard, go-ahead touchdown that gave Atlanta a 23-22 lead with 2:33 left in the game.

For a second straight day, 49ers’ WR Deebo Samuel was a full participant at practice and is on track to play Sunday at Jacksonville.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, Ray-Ray McCloud, George Kittle

Looks like the bye week did Samuel some good, and if he's a full participant already, we should expect his normal workload upon his return. He has 397 yards and two all-purpose touchdowns through six games this season, and should be boosted back into WR2 consideration this week.

The Falcons will keep things status quo at quarterback for at least another week.

Head coach Arthur Smith announced at his Monday press conference that Taylor Heinicke will start for the team against the Cardinals in Week 10.

Related players: Desmond Ridder

“Taylor gives us the best chance, with everything going on right now,” Smith said, via Scott Bair of the team’s website. The story added that Smith said the team will reassess the position after the Week 11 bye.