Atlanta Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Set to Name Starting QB; Taylor Heinicke Time?

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith has a decision to make at quarterback ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Atlanta Falcons may not have a quarterback controversy, but coach Arthur Smith still needs to make a decision about who’s starting when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The decision of starting Taylor Heinicke or a potentially concussed Desmond Ridder will come from Smith on Wednesday when he speaks to the media.

It’s far from a forgone conclusion of who will be named QB1. Smith didn’t exactly make things clearer when asked if a fully healthy Ridder makes the start against Minnesota.

"I gotta see where he's at," Smith said. “That's the best I can give you, but I gotta see where he's at and see if that's the best thing for this team this week. Obviously, it's not something I'm concerned with long-term. He's done a lot of good things, but we have to find a way to go win this game. If it's Taylor, that's what we'll do, but my concern is Des."

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) stands in the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium / © Steve Roberts, USA TODAY

If Heinicke is announced the starter, it will likely mean that Ridder is not at 100 percent after entering concussion protocol following Sunday’s 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans. However, Ridder cleared protocol but didn’t return, finishing the game 8 of 12 passing for 71 yards while taking sacks. He added three carries for 26 yards.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Ridder, who was replaced by Heinicke at halftime on Sunday. Smith said that Ridder wasn’t pulled because of performance reasons, but it worked out for the best in a game that the Falcons were letting get away at one point.

Heinicke went 12 of 21 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown, leading Atlanta on four second-half scoring drives after trailing 14-3 at halftime.

This production is hard to argue with. On a Falcons offense that has struggled at times this season, maybe Heinicke is the spark Atlanta needed.

He could be getting his next chance for action during Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the Vikings.