LAS VEGAS – Former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is likely to start for the Raiders when they meet at 8:30 p.m. Monday at Allegiant Stadium.
After a spectacular career at Cincinnati, Ridder was taken in the third round (74th overall) of the 2022 draft by the Falcons.
After two seasons, Ridder was traded. He’s trying to rebound with the Raiders. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards and had a passer rating of 81 in the Raiders 28-13 loss to Tampa Bay last week.
Aidan O’Connell suffered a knee injury against the Bucs last week. He’s listed as questionable for the game after not practicing on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
“My locker mate was Desmond Ridder,” Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. " Everybody’s process is so different… To see him get another opportunity to show what he can do. Show this whole league that he’s an NFL quarterback. I’m excited for him. Obviously, I don’t want him to have his career day on us. I wish him well.”
Ridder was liked by the Falcons. He was traded to the Cardinals after the team signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.
He was on the Cardinals’ practice squad. After the injury to Gardner Minshew II, the Raiders signed Ridder.
Ridder has played in four games and has completed 28 of 44 passes (63.6%) for 239 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He has a passer rating of 85.3.
“Definitely excited that he gets to start,” Falcons wide receiver Drake London said. “Definitely going to be cool to see him and his family, things like that. That will be dope.”
Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake is not sure if his unit has an advantage.
“(We) know him, but it’s a different scheme,” Lake said. “I don’t think it’s a humongous advantage at all.”
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