Team news: Atlanta Falcons

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.

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.

The Falcons made a starting quarterback change in Week 9 and they could make another one in Week 10.

Taylor Heinicke got the start for Sunday’s game against the Vikings after playing the second half of the team’s Week 8 loss to the Titans and he went 21-of-38 for 268 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

Related players: Desmond Ridder

After the loss, HC Arthur Smith was asked if he was going to name Heinicke the starter for the Falcons’ Week 10 game against the Cardinals. “Not right now,” Smith said, via the team’s website. “We have to get back to evaluate. I’m not going to give some answer when we haven’t sat back and looked at everything.” Smith has at least left the door open to go back to Ridder.

Falcons ruled out WR Drake London for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings due to his groin injury.

Related Players: Van Jefferson, KhaDarel Hodge, Scott Miller, Mack Hollins

The Falcons' wide receiver position is a stay-away, with Van Jefferson being the only reasonable replacement, but that should be reserved for the deepest of fantasy leagues.

A new QB in Atlanta: Falcons’ HC Arthur Smith named Taylor Heinicke as the starting QB for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings.

Related Players: Desmond Ridder

Maybe a change at the helm will force the team's hand into using their three top-10 offensive weapons. Heinicke should be left off of fantasy radars until we see what the Falcons look like with a full game of him at QB.

Arthur Smith said he’ll announce on Wednesday who his starter is against Minnesota.

“I promise you, I’ll come in on Wednesday and tell you who’s starting,” Smith said, via Tori McElhaney of the Falcons.

Related players: Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside

Asked if Ridder would start assuming he’s 100 percent healthy, Smith answered, “I have to see where he’s at.” Heinicke came off the bench and played better than Ridder did, which would seem to indicate that Heinicke also gives the Falcons the better chance to beat the Vikings on Sunday, the story concluded. But Smith has invested a lot of time in developing Ridder and has indicated that he believes in Ridder going forward, and he may not be ready to bench his young quarterback just yet, the story added.

Arthur Smith said they'll evaluate the QB position this week. Reiterated that health can affect performance and his No. 1 concern is Desmond Ridder's health.

"Whoever is going to play this week has got to get the reps."

Related players: Taylor Heinicke

Ridder was evaluated for a concussion and cleared protocol but Smith opted to stay with Heinicke instead of bringing Ridder back out. Heinicke played well during his time so the Falcons may decide to take advantage of this open door. No matter who plays, they could be without WR London Drake who is dealing with a groin injury. The Falcons host the Vikings in an early game. Those in deeper leagues or superflex leagues may want to add Heinicke with the chance he gets the start.

Arthur Smith said Drake London's groin injury vs. the Titans "wasn't as bad as we thought."

Related players: Mack Hollins, Scott Miller, KhaDarel Hodge, Van Jefferson

It's good news but his status for Week 9 is likely still up in the air at this point. The Falcons say they'll see how the week goes with him. London led the way with seven targets and ended with a 5-55-0 line. Hodge had three catches for 75 yards and Miller caught a TD pass in Week 8. The Falcons have an early game against the Vikings in Week 9, so owners will have time to form a backup plan. The team's bye comes in Week 11.