Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith says that Taylor Heinicke will be the team’s starting quarterback once again when the Falcons take on the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.
“Taylor gives us the best chance, with everything going on right now,” Smith said, via Scott Bair of the Falcons’ team website.
Smith added that Atlanta will re-evaluate things after its bye in Week 11.
Heinicke replaced Desmond Ridder as the starter this past weekend. The switch occurred after Heinicke relieved Ridder in Week 8 after Ridder exited the Falcons’ loss to the Tennessee Titans to be evaluated for a concussion. Ridder cleared protocol, but did not return to the game.
Smith then announced later on that week that Heinicke would be under center for Atlanta’s Week 9 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Heinicke ended up going 21-for-38 with 268 yards, a touchdown and an interception while carrying the ball three times for 20 yards in the Falcons’ 31-28 loss this past weekend.
The 30-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Old Dominion, went undrafted but caught on with the Houston Texans in 2017. He threw just one pass for the Texans that season, and the next year, he joined the Carolina Panthers, where he made one start.
Heinicke then linked up with the Washington Commanders and spent three seasons with the team, appearing in 26 games and making 24 starts.
The Atlanta native has gone 12-13-1 in his career as a starter, totaling 36 touchdowns and 25 interceptions while completing 63.3 percent of his throws and posting a passer rating of 85.6.
The Falcons have lost two games in a row to drop to 4-5. They are one game behind the New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFC South.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
