Report: Saints to Face Falcons QB Desmond Ridder in Week 12

The Saints will square off against Desmond Ridder when they play Atlanta in Week 12, per report.

When the New Orleans Saints return to action in Week 12 after their bye, they'll face their bitter rival in the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has been back-and-forth between two quarterbacks this season, but the Saints now know who they'll be facing in Week 12.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports on Sunday morning that the Falcons will be turning back to QB Desmond Ridder when they come back from their own bye against the Saints. Atlanta had started QB Taylor Heinicke their last two games, both losses, after Ridder had started the first eight games of the year. 

Falcons coach Arthur Smith had declined to announce a starting quarterback during the team’s bye. However, Heinicke injured his hamstring and had to leave his team's Week 10 loss at Arizona. The injury is not considered serious, but enough for Smith to go back to Ridder, according to Rapoport and his sources.

Rapoport reports that Arthur Smith seems inclined to go with Ridder going forward. The second-year quarterback left Atlanta's Week 8 game against Tennessee with a concussion. Heinicke finished that game, a loss, and would start the next two outings. 

Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY

Ridder was a third-round pick by the Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati. His first NFL start was against the Saints in Week 15 last season, also after a bye. In that game, a 21-18 New Orleans win, Ridder completed 13 of 26 throws for 97 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions, and was sacked four times. He also had six runs for 38 yards.

Ridder, 24, has completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,740 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He has two 300-yard games for an Atlanta passing attack that ranks 21st in the NFL. A decent athlete, Ridder has rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He has also been sacked 25 times.

The Saints defense ranks ninth against the pass this season and has not allowed an opponent more than 270 yards through the air. New Orleans ranks near the top of the NFL with 12 interceptions, but their 18 sacks are near the bottom of the league.