Falcons coach Arthur Smith found out Sunday morning that his team would be without wide receiver Calvin Ridley against the Panthers later in the day.
The team’s top receiver was declared inactive and missed the game for a personal reason. The Falcons lost 19-13 to the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Late in the game Ridley tweeted a statement that read in part, “These past few weeks have been very challenging, and as much as I’d like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing. This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.”
Ridley missed the game against the Jets in London on Oct. 10 because of a personal matter. He played last week against Miami and practiced all week.
Tajae Sharpe started for Ridley, who has 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Sharpe had five catches for 58 yards Sunday.
“It’s always tough being out there when one of your brothers is hurting,” Sharpe said. “So, whenever one of your brothers is not here or they are going through things, we all feel it as well. Whenever you have to do that, it’s tough on the rest of us. ... We have to be prepared and step up for whatever role we have to play.”
The Falcons offense was choppy and never got into a good flow. Quarterback Matt Ryan also tossed two interceptions.
“We are keeping him in our prayers,” Sharpe said. “Anytime one of our brothers is hurting, we’re hurting as well. We feel for Calvin. We’re here for him whenever he needs us. Whenever he’s ready to get back to playing football, obviously his mental health is No. 1 and the safety of his family and his health and things like that.
“Whatever he needs from us, we’re going to support no matter what. We are just going to try to do our job while he’s away. Until we can get him better.”
Sharpe is in his fifth season in the NFL and had played in 57 games and made 30 previous starts. He’s in his first season with the Falcons.
Sharpe found out just hours before kickoff that he would start.
“You have to be ready no matter what,” Sharpe said. “Throughout the week, I think our team does a great job of preparing like you’re going to be the starter, whether you are the starter or the backup or the third man or whatever it is. We all prepare like we’re going to be the starter ... but it’s always tough when one of our brothers is hurting. We definitely feel for him.”
It is not known how long Ridley will be out.
“We are going to try our best to fill that role and just step up for the team,” Sharpe said.
Sharpe has not reached out to Ridley.
“I haven’t had the chance to,” Sharpe said. “We are keeping him in our prayers. We kind of want to give him his space so that he can focus on his mental health and things like that. We are going to continue to pray for him and just hope for the best, just kind of do the best that we can until he gets back with us.”
The Falcons (3-4) have 10 games left and are set to play their rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
“We are just going to continue to work week in and week out, day in and day out,” Sharpe said. “Just put our best foot forward with the guys that we have on the field available. We all have trust in each other. Everybody in the locker room trusts the guys that we have on this team to go out there and make the plays when their number is called.”
Replacing Ridley’s production is a concern.
“He’s a great player,” Ryan said. “He has the ability to stretch the defense. He’s really quick getting in and out of cuts. He does a great job versus zone coverage. But again, you’ve got to play with the guys we have up and available. Ultimately, as a group we fell a little bit short today.”
Tight end Kyle Pitts said his role didn’t change.
“It stayed the same,” Pitts said. “Just other people stepping in to fill their shoes.”
The defensive players also were informed of Ridley’s situation.
“The offense has nothing to do with the preparation for me,” said linebacker Foye Oluokun, who finished with 16 tackles. “It’s definitely tough knowing your teammate, your boy, is going through something. I wish the best for him, and he needs to do whatever he needs to do to get mentally right.”
Oluokun didn’t want to make any excuses for the defense, which gave up 203 yards rushing.
“It shouldn’t have affected the defense,” Oluokun said. “Like I said, he plays offense, but as a friend and as a teammate, we definitely feel for the dude. Going through something, and you hope he gets it right.”
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