The Cardinals signed Ridder to their practice squad Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 2022 third-round pick out of Cincinnati failed to make the Cardinals' initial 53-man roster, but he's now been brought back to the team's practice squad. Ridder threw for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and just as many interceptions across his 15 regular-season contests with the Falcons last year. He's now expected to serve as Arizona's No. 3 quarterback option in 2024.
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Desmond Ridder Career Stats
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Career Stats - Passing
ATTCMPCMP%YDSAVGTDINT50332264.0%3,5447.01412Career Stats - Rushing
CARYDSAVGTDLNGFDFUM692573.75232215Passing
Season ATT CMP CMP% YDS AVG TD INT 2023 388 249 64.2 2,836 7.3 12 12 2022 115 73 63.5 708 6.2 2 0 Career 50332264.0%3,5447.01412Rushing
Season CAR YDS AVG TD LNG FD FUM 2023 53 193 3.6 5 23 18 12 2022 16 64 4 0 18 4 3 Career 692573.75232215
Desmond Ridder Player Profile
Career History
Desmond Ridder Fantasy Projections
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Full season projectionsATT 358.0CMP 227.0PASS YDS 2,545.0TD 10.0LNG 56.0CMP% 63.4SACK 31.0SYL 197.0INT 11.0
Desmond Ridder Latest News
Brought back by Cardinals
The Cardinals signed Ridder to their practice squad Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 2022 third-round pick out of Cincinnati failed to make the Cardinals' initial 53-man roster, but he's now been brought back to the team's practice squad. Ridder threw for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and just as many interceptions across his 15 regular-season contests with the Falcons last year. He's now expected to serve as Arizona's No. 3 quarterback option in 2024.
Done in desert
The Cardinals are slated to waive Ridder on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.. Ridder, who Arizona acquired in via a trade with the Falcons back in March, ultimately couldn't beat out Clayton Tune for the top backup spot behind Kyler Murray during training camp. The 2022 second-round pick boasts ample NFL experience, though in that time he demonstrated a lack of a true ceiling, so the Cardinals could still target him for a practice squad spot if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
Ready to compete again
Ridder cleared the league's concussion protocols Monday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. Ridder suffered a concussion during Sunday's preseason loss to the Broncos, so his time in protocols was short-lived. The Cincinnati product is slated to be the Cardinals' backup quarterback this season, and with his quick return to full health should hold that position Week 1 behind Kyler Murray.
Concussed in preseason finale
Ridder is in concussion protocol following Sunday's 38-12 preseason loss to the Broncos, per head coach Jonathan Gannon, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Ridder went to the locker room in the second half to be evaluated for a head injury, and the testing revealed a concussion. Prior to exiting the game, Ridder completed 10 of 16 passes for 111 yards and rushed twice for 25 yards. If Ridder is unable to pass the NFL's five-step concussion protocol prior to the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Bills, Clayton Tune would back up Kyler Murray.
Ample preseason action coming
Ridder looks set to start Saturday's exhibition opener against the Saints, and potentially Arizona's following two preseason contests, after coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday that Kyler Murray will not play until Week 1, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. Ridder, who was dealt to the Cardinals back in March, appears primed for a busy preseason along with No. 3 quarterback Clayton Tune. After appearing in 19 regular-season games for the Falcons over the last two years, Ridder brings substantial NFL experience to the table as Murray's top backup, he won't see much of the field this season if all goes well for Arizona.
Dealt to Cardinals
The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Could be on the move
The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Atlanta reportedly doesn't have an immediate deal in place, but Ridder should draw some interest from teams in the league willing to part with later draft picks. The 2022 third-round pick boasts a unique amount of starting experience, as he's now heading into just his age-25 season, potentially making him an upgrade as a No. 2 option for some quarterback rooms in the NFL. If Ridder is indeed traded, it could throw a wrench in the assumption that Atlanta will release Taylor Heinicke in a cap-savings move.
Sliding into backup role
Ridder figures to be relegated to a backup role with the Falcons set to sign Kirk Cousins, per the team's official website. The 2022 third-round pick has won eight of his 17 NFL starts while throwing 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He's completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, but with a higher-than-average sack rate (7.4 percent) and nine lost fumbles. Overall, Ridder has the same number of turnovers (19) as combined passing and rushing TDs in the NFL. The Falcons likely will release Taylor Heinicke after their agreement with Cousins becomes official.
Mistake-prone in return
Ridder's return to the starting job was far from crisp, with the second-year signal-caller posting his third multi-interception tally of the campaign. However, Ridder was able to leverage his ground game, defense and a depleted Saints offense to help lead the Falcons to a much-needed win while failing to reach the 200-yard mark for the third time in a full game this season. Ridder showed very good rapport with top target Drake London and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Bijan Robinson, but otherwise, the remaining Atlanta players that caught a pass combined for just five receptions and 45 yards. Ridder will aim to contribute much more through the air in a tough matchup against a stingy Jets secondary in a Week 13 road clash.