Desmond Ridder Suffers Concussion as Atlanta Falcons Drop Road Game vs. Tennessee Titans
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder entered the NFL's concussion protocol as his team fell on the road to the Tennessee Titans 28-23 on Sunday afternoon in Nashville.
Ridder did not light up the scoreboard prior to his exit, putting up 71 yards through the air on eight completions in the first half, and he gave way to backup Taylor Heinicke who was tasked with the comeback effort after halftime. The Atlanta backup did not play poorly, putting up 175 passing yards in his final stat line of the day.
The Falcons trailed 14-3 at halftime on Sunday, but it appeared that they were poised to make a comeback as they closed the gap to 21-16 early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown carry from Bijan Robinson. Will Levis and the Titans responded a few drives later, however, as the quarterback connected with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a score, one of three touchdown passes from Levis on the day who was playing in lieu of the injured Ryan Tannehill.
Atlanta would go on to respond again late in the fourth quarter as Heinicke found Scott Miller for a passing score, but it proved to be too-little, too-late as the Falcons could not push across another score after the two-minute warning.
Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry (96) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) converge on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) for a sack in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Statistically, Heinicke finished the day as the leading passer for Atlanta, and Robinson led on the ground with 62 yards on 11 carries. KhaDarel Hodge led the way in receiving with 75 yards on just three receptions.
The Falcons' loss drops them to 4-4 overall and 1-3 on the road this season, and Atlanta will return home next week to host the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff in that game is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and the game will be aired on FOX.
