Marcus Mariota apparently didn't take his Falcons benching effectively.
The veteran quarterback left the staff after head coach Arthur Smith introduced Mariota can be benched for rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota, 29, was absent from the staff’s facility Monday after Smith knowledgeable him of the staff’s determination final week.
Smith claimed Mariota was getting a continual knee situation checked out and he would possibly go on injured reserve. Nonetheless, there had been no earlier point out of the damage.
“[The injury] is nothing that has been a difficulty this season, however that’s [Mariota’s] prerogative so … ” Smith stated, in line with The Athletic. “After all, you need all of your guys to be right here, however guys should make choices. It’s a part of skilled sports activities. It's important to have contingency plans.”
The Falcons, who had a bye final week, had been made conscious Mariota was leaving the staff Friday. He had beforehand been absent Dec. 5 when his spouse gave beginning to their first little one.
The choice comes because the Falcons, regardless of a 5-8 file, are nonetheless within the playoff race — one sport behind the Buccaneers within the middling NFC South. Nonetheless, it has been an uneven season for Mariota after he was signed by Atlanta within the offseason and handed the beginning job. The previous College of Oregon star has accomplished 184 of 300 passes for 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
“These [conversations] are by no means simple,” Smith stated of his discuss with Mariota. “You attempt to be truthful, whether or not they agree or not, these are the conversations it's a must to have.”
Ridder was drafted within the third spherical after main the Cincinnati Bearcats to the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season. The 23-year-old has but to look in a sport this yr. He will probably be backed up by Logan Woodside, who was signed Tuesday off the Titans follow squad, at New Orleans on Sunday.
“It’s a performance-based determination,” Smith stated. “We’re making an attempt to push the offense. We really feel like that is the very best determination for the place he’s at, the place the staff’s at.”
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