Matt Ryan won’t have either of his top two outside targets when the Falcons take the field in London against the Jets.
The team released a statement on Thursday afternoon, announcing that wide receiver Calvin Ridley will not travel overseas due to a “personal matter.” The statement also read that the organization is “in support of Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy on the matter.”
Ridley’s absence, along with that of fellow wideout Russell Gage (ankle), will leave Matt Ryan with a shaky WR unit. Fortunately, Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurts are two talented pass-catchers at the tight end position, and Cordarrelle Patterson’s unexpected resurgence has made him a key cog in the offense. He currently ranks third on the team with 22 targets, behind Ridley and Pitts and just ahead of fellow RB Mike Davis, but he is second in receptions (18) and receiving yards (235). He’s had 82 yards through the air in each of the past two contests, and he’s fresh off a game in which he exploded for three touchdowns.
Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe figure to get the bulk of the work at the WR position.
On the season, Ridley is one of just eight wideouts to have seen at least 40 targets, showing just how important his presence is for Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ passing attack. We’ll see how the team adapts without him.
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