Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage Out for Falcons vs. Jets: Which Players Will Step Up?
By Peter Dewey
The Atlanta Falcons reportedly will be without their top two wide receivers in Week 5 against the New York Jets, as Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage both won’t make the trip with the team.
Falcons' WR Calvin Ridley is not making the trip to London due to a personal matter and he is out for Sunday's game against the Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2021
Falcons' WR Russell Gage also not traveling to London and also is out due to an ankle injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2021
This is a brutal blow to the Atlanta offense, especially Ridley, who is the team’s leading receiver this season.
WynnBET Sportsbook now has the Falcons as 3-point favorites over the Jets in London after the latest news.
Who Steps Up for Falcons with Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage Out vs. Jets?
All Cordarrelle Patterson does is score TDs ?@NFL | #DirtyBirdspic.twitter.com/y4ifG4lHXd
— FanSided (@FanSided) October 3, 2021
The logical two players to step up with Gage and Ridley out are rookie tight end Kyle Pitts (189 receiving yards this season) and do-it-all weapon Cordarrelle Patterson (235 receiving yards this season).
Pitts, running back Mike Davis and Patterson are the three players directly behind Ridley in catches, targets and receiving yards this season.
After Patterson caught three touchdowns in Week 4, it’s possible Arthur Smith uses him and Pitts more on the outside along with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and tight end Hayden Hurst.
Patterson has been trending up as the most dynamic weapon in the Falcons’ offense, so I’d put any prop bets for Sunday’s game on him or Pitts, as the rookie has been due for a breakout game.
The Jets are coming off a win last week, and they could upset the Falcons in a neutral site game now that the Atlanta offense is diminished.
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