FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — There's a good chance the Atlanta Falcons will play against a familiar face Monday night at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Aiden O'Connell is questionable for the Week 15 matchup after not participating in any of the team's practices during the lead-up to Monday's game because of a knee injury. So, there's a good chance backup Desmond Ridder will get the start against his former team.
"I told him, if I see him before the game, I may have to punch him in the arm or something like that so he can't do nothing against us," Falcons wide receiver Drake London said. "But no, I'm just happy for him."
London and Ridder were both members of the Falcons' 2022 draft class. Ridder was a third-round pick — No. 74 overall — from the University of Cincinnati, while London was Atlanta's first-round pick at No. 8 overall out of the University of Southern California.
Ridder spent the majority of his rookie season behind former Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota. He ultimately took over the starting role for Atlanta's final four games, going 2-2, and then maintained the position in 2023.
Last season, however, didn't go as planned for Ridder. He started 13 of the 15 games in which he played and went 6-7 as the starter. The starting job switched between Ridder and Taylor Heinicke more than once throughout the course of the franchise's third consecutive 7-10 season.
After the departure of former head coach Arthur Smith and arrival of current head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons completely revamped their quarterback room. They signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract and drafted rookie Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. They then traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals and Heinicke to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ridder ended up on the Cardinals' practice squad before the season started and stayed there until the Raiders signed him to their active roster in Week 8.
"That's the brutality of this league," London said. "You could go from being so high to so low so quick. But the fact that he's been fighting his way back and he's on a team right now — I mean, he's starting on Monday Night Football — I know he's ecstatic about it and definitely happy where his role is right now. I know he wants more. He wants something that's solidified for sure."
The Raiders signed Ridder because O'Connell had a previous stint on injured reserve from Weeks 8-12. Gardner Minshew II became the starter, Ridder his backup. Minshew was then placed on injured reserve in Week 13, leaving the Raiders with their current situation.
Atlanta has prepared for either scenario it may face at quarterback, with coaches and players like closely studying the influence interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner has had on the Raiders since he assumed the role during the team's bye in Week 10. If Ridder gets the nod, though, the Falcons know what he's capable of.
"He'll be prepared in the right way. He'll be ready for us," Morris said. "A familiar opponent, some people he knows, and I know we've got to get ready for him as well. He can run the football, he's talented, he's athletic, he's big, he throws football, did a lot of good things."
Ridder has played in four games for the Raiders, completing 28 of his 44 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown.
"I think he's making the most out of every opportunity that he's been having," said Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier, another 2022 draft pick. "I think it's just an awesome opportunity for him to show what he can do."
