BREAKING: Atlanta Falcons Name Taylor Heinicke Starting QB vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Atlanta Falcons will have a new face under center Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith announced during his press conference Wednesday that he's settled on Taylor Heinicke, not incumbent Desmond Ridder, as the starting quarterback against Minnesota.
Ridder started the first eight games of the season but didn't play in the second half of last week's 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans after being submitted into concussion protocol.
Smith said Ridder cleared concussion protocol and that a lot of variables went into the decision, though Atlanta ultimately made this move eyeing the team's best interest in the short term.
Just shy of the season's halfway point, Ridder has thrown for 1,701 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 65.4 percent of his passes. He's currently leading the NFL in giveaways at 12.
When Ridder left against Tennessee, Heinicke entered in relief, completing 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.
The Atlanta Falcons will start Taylor Heinicke against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
© Steve Roberts, USA TODAY
In the first half, the Ridder-led Falcons mustered only three points and 89 yards of offense. During the second half, with Heinicke under center, Atlanta posted 20 points and gained 253 total yards.
After the game, Smith reiterated his confidence in Ridder as the starter while noting Heinicke is in Atlanta "to be able to come in as a backup and give us a shot." Heinicke added the Falcons are Ridder's team and he's doing his best to help out in whatever way is needed.
On the opposing sideline, Minnesota will also be playing its backup quarterback, as rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall will make his first career start in place after Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles last weekend.
The Falcons and Vikings will kick off at 1 p.m. EST Sunday.
