Falcons' Ridley out Sunday vs. Jets due to personal matter

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Falcons star WR Calvin Ridley out for Sunday's game vs. Jets due to personal matter

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/7/21

The Atlanta Falcons offense is going to be seriously shorthanded for their trip across the pond to face the New York Jets on Sunday as star wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been ruled out due to a personal matter.

ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news early Thursday afternoon.

Falcons' WR Calvin Ridley is not making the trip to London due to a personal matter and he is out for Sunday's game against the Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2021

Moments later, Schefter tweeted that another one of the Falcons' key wide receivers, Russell Gage, will miss the contest as well.

Falcons' WR Russell Gage also not traveling to London and also is out due to an ankle injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2021

Per Falcons Digital Managing Editor Scott Bair, the team issued a statement regarding Ridley following Thursday's practice.

"Due to a personal matter, Calvin Ridley will not travel to the Falcons game in London this weekend. We are in support of Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy on the matter," the statement said. "In addition, Russell Gage and Marlon Davidson will also not travel to London due to their respective ankle injuries."

With Ridley and Gage out, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will have to rely heavily on rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, as well as Cordarrelle Patterson, who plays wide receiver and running back. Ridley currently leads Atlanta in targets (42), receptions (27) and receiving yards (255).

The Falcons and Jets are set to kick-off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

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