Desmond Ridder's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Arizona Cardinals released quarterback Desmond Ridder (concussion) on Tuesday, according to a source. Ridder, who was put in the league's concussion protocol after the preseason finale against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, had been in a competition with Clayton Tune for the backup job behind Kyler Murray this summer. That job will obviously fall to Tune now to begin the 2024 regular season. The Cardinals acquired Ridder in an offseason trade in March with the Atlanta Falcons after the 24-year-old failed to deliver in two seasons in Atlanta. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of Cincinnati struggled with turnovers in his 19 games (17 starts) while also completing 64% of his 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If Ridder doesn't join Arizona's practice squad, he'll look for backup work elsewhere.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that backup quarterback Desmond Ridder (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after he was forced from the preseason finale on Sunday against the Denver Broncos early due to a head injury. Before Ridder left the contest at Empower Field, he went 10-for-16 passing for 111 yards and carried the ball twice for 25 yards. In his first year in Arizona, the 24-year-old is expected to open the year as the primary backup to starter Kyler Murray. However, if he cannot clear the concussion protocol in time for the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8, it will be Clayton Tune backing up Murray. The former third-rounder quickly fell out of favor with the Atlanta Falcons in 19 games over two seasons, mainly due to turnover issues and overall mediocre performances.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder is currently listed as the No. 2 QB on the second depth chart of the 2024 season that the team released before their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. It doesn't mean that the QB battle for the No. 2 job between Ridder and Clayton Tune is over this summer, though. Ridder is trying to secure the backup job behind Kyler Murray in the desert this year after quickly flaming out in Atlanta after the Falcons took him in the third round in 2022. Both Ridder and Tune will get plenty of action in the final two preseason games with Murray not playing at all until Week 1. Ridder struggled with turnovers for the Falcons and quickly proved that he wasn't their franchise signal-caller in 19 games in two seasons. He's off the fantasy radar for now.

The Arizona Cardinals are acquiring former starting quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, according to a source. Ridder squandered his chance as the full-time starter for the Falcons in 2023 by throwing for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts), eventually being benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati has also lost nine fumbles in 19 games (17 starts) in his two NFL seasons. Atlanta's signing of Kirk Cousins made Ridder expendable, and he'll now make for a solid backup option in Arizona for starter Kyler Murray. The 24-year-old obviously won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2024 now that he's firmly entrenched in a backup role.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to be traded now that the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins, according to sources. The Falcons have been discussing a deal with other teams, but nothing is in place yet. The 24-year-old third-round pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati lost the starting gig to Taylor Heinicke last year and finished with a 64.2 completion percentage, 2,836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts). In his 17 NFL starts over two seasons, Ridder hasn't looked like a starter, throwing 14 TDs and 12 interceptions with 7.0 yards per attempt. He's also lost nine fumbles. At best, Ridder could land with a team like the Denver Broncos that would give him a chance to compete for a starting role in 2024. Clearly, Ridder's fantasy stock in dynasty/keeper leagues has taken a big hit after his disappointing 2023 campaign.