Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley announced Sunday afternoon that he's stepping away from football to focus on his mental health:
Ridley was inactive for the Falcons tilt with the Carolina Panthers Sunday as he dealt with "a personal matter." Ridley also didn't play in the team's Week 5 win over the New York Jets in London, despite not having a physical injury.
It's not immediately clear if Ridley will return at any point during the remainder of the 2021 season.
A former first-round pick out of Alabama, Ridley was one of the league's best wide receivers a season ago, catching 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020. The 26-year-old has 31 catches for 281 yards in his first season in Arthur Smith's offense this year.
Ridley becomes the second notable NFL star to take an in-season leave of absence in 2021. Three-time Pro Bowler right tackle Lane Johnson -- who has since returned to the Philadelphia Eagles after missing three games as he focused on his mental health -- opened up to Jay Glazer Sunday morning about his battles:
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