Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the field against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons noncommittal on Arthur Smith, will ‘let season play out’

Arthur Smith remains head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but owner Arthur Blank wants to see the season play out after the team lost back-to-back games in a span of eight days.

In an interview with Georgia Public Broadcast, Blank said the Falcons are “committed” to Smith.

He also said the plan as it relates to any decision on retaining his head coach is to “let the season play out and go from there … assess where we are and go from there.”

Atlanta jumped to the top of the NFC South at 6-6 three weeks ago but lost consecutive games to the Buccaneers and last week at Carolina to drop out of the division lead.

Smith remains unsettled with his quarterback situation, returning Desmond Ridder to a backup role this week after a 9-7 loss to the Panthers and elevating journeyman Taylor Heinicke to the No. 1 spot to face the Colts on Sunday.

“I think through this part of the season, it’s been mixed, quite honestly, that’s what I think,” Blank said. “And that’s what the coach would say. Arthur (Smith) is very honest, he looks at himself very critically. So he comes from a beautiful family that has great values and he reflects those values in his leadership the best he can. So we’ll see how the season plays out and go from there.”

The Falcons posted 7-10 records in Smith’s first two seasons in 2021 and 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons coach still weighing QB options for Week 16

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith is still checking his list to find out which quarterback will start on Christmas Eve.

Smith told reporters Monday that either Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinicke will be under center when the Falcons (6-8) host the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) on Sunday. He said the team will not bring in another quarterback and won’t start third-stringer Logan Woodside.

“Not final, but obviously still working through that,” Smith said. “Just met with the quarterbacks a minute ago before coming in here, and I’ll circle back with those guys because there’s some stuff we need to still work through.”

The Falcons suffered a 9-7 loss at lowly Carolina on Sunday for their second straight defeat, dropping them a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.

Ridder completed 12 of 20 passes for 152 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Panthers. The second-year signal-caller is 6-6 as the starter, completing 63.3 percent of his throws for 2,528 yards with 10 TDs and 10 picks.

Heinicke played in three games (0-2 as a starter) when Ridder was in concussion protocol. He has completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 498 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes the ball Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts rule out RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb) for Sunday

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will miss his second straight game Sunday due to a thumb injury.

Starting right tackle Braden Smith was also ruled out Friday for the Week 14 game at Cincinnati due to a knee injury sustained in last Sunday’s win at Tennessee.

Taylor was injured during a Nov. 26 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and underwent surgery three days later.

After missing the first four games of the season due to a contract standoff and an ankle injury, Taylor ranks second on the Colts (7-5) with 414 rushing yards and four touchdowns in seven games (five starts) this season. He also has 16 catches for 137 yards and one score.

The 2021 NFL rushing champion has gained 5,194 yards from scrimmage and scored 41 touchdowns in 50 games (46 starts) since the Colts drafted him in the second round in 2020.

Smith, 27, has started eight games this season and 78 of his 80 games since the Colts drafted him in the second round in 2018.

–Field Level Media

NFL Kansas City Chiefs offensive line Wanya Morris

Chiefs rookie LT Wanya Morris likely to start vs. Bills

Chiefs rookie left tackle Wanya Morris worked with the first-team offense on Wednesday.

He’s in line to start for Sunday when the Buffalo Bills (6-6) come to Kansas City after a bye last week.

Head coach Andy Reid said Morris, a third-round pick in 2023, was solid last Sunday night when forced to log a season-high 42 snaps in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. He played eight snaps at left tackle in the first 11 games combined.

Starting left tackle Donovan Smith (neck stinger) could miss the matchup with the Bills, and a one-on-one confrontation with Buffalo pass rusher Leonard Floyd. Floyd leads Buffalo with 9.5 sacks this season.

At Green Bay, Morris allowed one sack and four pressures of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“Yeah, he’s played well. He’s done a great job in the run and the pass game,” Mahomes said Wednesday. “Now it’s just trying to get him prepared to face a great defensive line with all the games they do and the stunts.”

Reid said running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder contusion) did not practice Wednesday. He rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against Green Bay.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks optimistic QB Geno Smith (elbow) can go Thursday

Geno Smith should be ready when the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers face off in primetime on Thanksgiving night.

Seattle lost 17-16 to the Los Angeles Rams Sunday but Smith avoided a long-term injury, according to head coach Pete Carroll.

“He’ll make it back,” Carroll said in a radio interview Monday.

Smith has a contusion on the tendon at the base of his right triceps closer to his elbow, the result of a solid hit from Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Carroll said “I would think so” when asked if Smith would be able to play in the NFC West division game. Smith sat out multiple drives at Los Angeles on Sunday.

Running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) isn’t likely to be ready on a short week, Carroll said.

Zach Charbonnet filled in Sunday and Carroll said the team was glad to have him “because he’s such an all-around player. He can do everything. … He does everything really well.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) calls the play against the Tennessee Titans during the second at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons bench QB Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke to start

Desmond Ridder was benched in favor of backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who will start for the Atlanta Falcons against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

“Just for this week,” Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said on Wednesday. “With all the variables, best for this week with Minnesota, Taylor will be playing this week.”

Ridder is healthy and available and is Atlanta’s No. 2 quarterback.

“He is cleared and available,” Smith said.

Ridder was benched in the second half last week and replaced by Heinicke in a 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Heinicke completed 12 of his 21 passes 175 yards and a touchdown.

The 30-year-old Heinicke signed as an unrestricted free agent in March. He has 25 career starts in 34 games with the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans.

Ridder was evaluated for a concussion and cleared of a head injury, but he did not play in the second half. He was sacked five times and lost a fumble in the first half.

Rookie Jaren Hall is expected to start for the Vikings with Kirk Cousins out for the season. Cousins sustained a season-ending Achilles injury last week.

A third-round pick in 2022, Ridder has been the starter for the Falcons since Week 14 last season, when he replaced Marcus Mariota.

He is 6-6 as a starter but has 13 turnovers this season, including seven lost fumbles.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs after a catch against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons not giving ‘1 second of thought’ to NFL’s Robinson inquiry

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith invited the NFL to waste its time looking into the injury stats and usage of running back Bijan Robinson last week while Atlanta focuses on keeping control of the NFC South lead.

“Everything is transparent,” Smith said Wednesday.

Smith was responding to questions about reports the NFL would look into the sequence of events that led to Robinson being active but only playing a bit part while sick. He was not listed on injury reports prior to the 16-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Smith said Atlanta (4-3) is tuned tightly into planning for the Tennessee Titans this week, not the timing around the team reporting Robinson’s illness a week ago.

“You’re talking about sensationalized things,” Smith said Wednesday. “I understand outrage and drama sells. Guys, like, if you really understand how things really operate that there’s nothing, there’s nothing there. So I don’t know what, I haven’t given one second of thought about it.”

Robinson, the Falcons’ first-round pick, played 11 snaps and had one carry for three yards in Week 7 against the Bucs. He was not targeted in the passing game.

Atlanta’s win gave the Falcons sole possession of first place in the NFC South entering Week 8 for the first time since the team’s most recent Super Bowl season.

Robinson has 404 rushing yards and 189 receiving yards on the season.

Robinson said he was “feeling weird” Saturday night and woke up ill and experiencing headaches. But he was not put through concussion baseline testing or given a COVID-19 test by the Falcons.

ESPN first reported the NFL would investigate the timing of Robinson’s symptoms and whether he should have been tested or further evaluated.

Smith shut down further questions about Robinson’s status and said he was ready for Wednesday’s practice.

“We’ll talk about the Tennessee Titans, and the big game we’ve got going on,” Smith said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith (72) in action during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Colts RT Braden Smith, TE Kylen Granson out vs. Browns

The Indianapolis Colts ruled out right tackle Braden Smith and tight end Kylen Granson for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns, coach Shane Steichen said Friday.

Smith (hip/wrist) did not play last weekend at Jacksonville and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Rookie Blake Freeland started in his place against the Jaguars.

Granson entered the league’s concussion protocol following the 37-20 loss to the Jaguars and also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Smith, 27, started the first five games this season. Since the Colts selected him in the second round (37th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Auburn, he has started 75 of his 77 games.

Granson, 25, has 16 receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown in six games (two starts). The Colts picked him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft out of SMU. He has caught 58 passes for 578 yards and one TD in 36 games (six starts) in his career.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) is tackled by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith, Falcons focus on eliminating turnovers

Through six games this season, quarterback Desmond Ridder has three wins and a number of big-time throws.

But Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith knows the reality requires full context. And that total picture view means pointing out the Falcons’ three losses during which Atlanta produced less than 17 points each time, Ridder’s eight turnovers and 19 sacks, and consistent red-zone trouble.

“I don’t ever want to sound like I’m making excuses, what happened, happened. Macro or big-picture, he’s making some big-time throws,” Smith said. “Guys are open. Clearly, we’ve got to eliminate those turnovers.”

Smith placed both hands over his head and grimaced in unison with assistant coaches on the sideline when Ridder spoiled a chance for a potential game-tying sequence on Sunday. Trailing the Washington Commanders 24-16 with 5:11 left in the game, Ridder was picked off in the end zone by Benjamin St-Juste. He threw his third pick of the game to seal the Falcons’ fate on their next drive.

Atlanta had a chance to improve to 4-2 with a win, but dropped instead to 3-3 and failed to build on Ridder’s Week 5 outing, featuring a career-high 329 yards and game-winning drive in the Falcons’ 21-19 win over the Texans. Ridder had 307 yards passing with two touchdowns.

Smith said he wouldn’t use the word “discouraged” to describe the quarterback play and believes Ridder will respond the right way.

“He’s one of the more accountable people I’ve coached. You can’t deny the passing game has gotten a lot better, but you have to get rid of those critical mistakes,” Smith said.

Beyond Ridder’s confidence, Atlanta is also monitoring the health of rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who is 15th in the NFL in carries with 80 and tied for the team lead with 26 receptions. The No. 8 overall pick had 277 total touches at Texas last season.

Smith said the team will take workload into account.

“You have to be careful,” Smith said.

–Field Level Media

Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith (DB29) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins sign second-round CB Cam Smith

Cornerback Cam Smith signed a four-year rookie deal with the Miami Dolphins, who have all four of their 2023 draft picks under contract three weeks before the start of training camp.

Smith was a second-round selection and is part of a deep group of cornerbacks behind Xavien Howard and newly acquired Jalen Ramsey.

Smith, 22, is expected to compete with Nik Needham for the third cornerback role in new coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense.

Fangio reached out to Smith before the draft to encourage him to be ready to contribute and to offer tips on not using his hands to cover receivers. Smith was penalized 10 times last season at South Carolina.

Needham is recovering from a torn Achilles and signed a one-year, $2 million contract for 2023.

–Field Level Media