NEW ORLEANS -- Quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was questionable with an left ankle injury, warmed up Sunday morning but was eventually placed on the inactive list for today’s Falcons-Saints game.
Desmond Ridder, who led the Falcons to a 24-15 win over the Saints on Nov. 26, will start at quarterback in the key NFC South matchup. He’ll be backed up Logan Woodside.
Ridder completed 13 of 21 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in the previous meeting with the Saints. He also had two interceptions and finished with a passer rating of 63.3.
Ridder opened the season as the starting quarterback, but was benched at halftime of the eighth game of the season because of his turnovers. Heinicke started the next two games, losses to the Vikings and Cardinals.
After the bye week, Ridder was returned to the starting lineup. He helped to lead the team to victories over the Saints and Jets. He was benched again after the 9-7 loss to the Panthers, who had only won a game up until seeing the Falcons.
Heinicke led the Falcons to a 29-10 victory over the Colts. He injured his left ankle in the game. The injury was aggravated in the 37-17 loss to the Bears.
In other personnel pre-game matters, cornerback Mike Hughes cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and was removed from the injury on Saturday.
The Falcons also promoted cornerback Natrone Brooks from the practice squad to the game-day roster, but he was also declared inactive.
Defensive end Zach Harrison (knee) was also listed as questionable in Friday’s report was also declared inactive. Safety DeMarcco Hellams (concussion protocol), center Drew Dalman (ankle) and linebacker Troy Andersen (pectoral) were ruled out for the game.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai was the other inactive player.
