How likely is it that we see Desmond Ridder suit up for preseason Game 3 on Thursday night? With last year’s starting quarterback Marcus Mariota in Philadelphia, the Atlanta Falcons are Ridder’s team now. With that in mind, here’s all we know about Ridder’s chances of suiting up on Thursday night.
Will Desmond Ridder Play in Third Preseason Game?
Ridder made his preseason debut last week after sitting out Atlanta’s first preseason game in 2023. As far as what that means regarding whether or not he suits up tonight, it still remains to be seen. However, the growing sense around the organization is the feeling that the Falcons may elect not to play him and side with caution as the season approaches.
How To Watch Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network & NFL+
Who Else Will Play?
If Ridder does in fact sit this week out, the Falcons have two other quarterbacks on the roster to look towards.
The presumed first man up is the gritty, gunslinging Taylor Heinecke. Heinecke is in his first season with the Falcons after spending the last three years in Washington with the Commanders. Heinecke is entering his sixth NFL season and has proven to be able to play and win tough games at this level. He will be a good piece to have around the young QB.
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The third and final QB on the Falcons’ roster is sixth-year quarterback Logan Woodside. The former seventh-round pick hasn’t seen much action in the regular season to this point of his career. Since being drafted in 2018, Woodside has only played in 11 games and zero since 2021. However, with the new third quarterback rules in the NFL, Woodside may be using this third and final game as a way to have the Falcons keep him in the fold for 2023.
