Where does the quarterback conversation in Atlanta go from here after loss to Cardinals?

Desmond Ridder came in after Taylor Heinicke suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the 25-23 loss in Arizona.

Nov 12, 2023 at 09:03 PM

Tori McElhaney

Senior Reporter

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here's what we know: The Falcons gave Taylor Heinicke the start at quarterback against the Vikings and Cardinals in Weeks 9 and 10 of the 2023 season.

Head coach Arthur Smith attributed the decision to a number of unnamed "variables" when pressed over the last two weeks. Heinicke came in for starter Desmond Ridder in the second half of the Falcons Week 8 loss to the Titans. At the time, Ridder was evaluated for a concussion. He was cleared to return to the game but didn't. Ridder started the first eight games of the season for the Falcons.

We also know that Heinicke left Sunday's 25-23 loss against the Cardinals with a hamstring injury to begin the fourth quarter. He never returned to the game. Ridder played the remainder of the game at quarterback.

Ridder connected on 4-of-6 passes for 39 passing yards as the reliever. He also rushed for 11 yards, one of which was a 9-yard, go-ahead touchdown.

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So, this is what we know. But here's what we don't know: We don't know where the quarterback conversation in Atlanta goes from here.

Smith said in the week leading up to the Falcons game in Arizona that Atlanta would not play "musical chairs" when it came to the quarterback position. The plan was to use the bye week as a way to reassess the plan for the future of the signal caller in Atlanta. Whoever the Falcons planned to play against the Saints in Week 12 is the person they would stick with, barring injury, of course.

How much will the Falcons most recent loss to the Cardinals change things?

Perhaps more than originally thought upon first look.

Smith is right, too, there are a number of variables to consider, even if he chose to keep said variables private. However, there are a couple more variables to consider now than there were before. For starters, the Falcons now have to consider Heinicke's injury and how serious it could or couldn't be.

Then, there's what Ridder was able to do in relief.

"Des came in and he did a really nice job," Smith said postgame. "He gave us a chance."

The head coach said Ridder was "settled" and "confident" for the Falcons when he got the chance to see the field of play again.

What Ridder and Heinicke were asked to do in the game was different, though, according to Smith.

For Heinicke, the Falcons came into the game with the full intent to run the ball and do so often. Though Heinicke only finished his day 8-of-15 through the air for 55 passing yards and one touchdown, Smith said Heinicke was playing within the game plan set for him. The Falcons didn't go into the Cardinals game wanting to air the ball out all game. Smith commended Heinicke for extending plays when he could.

Then, there's Ridder, who Smith praised for coming in and working from behind with the Falcons down 21-17 to start the fourth quarter. Smith said he liked what he saw from Ridder on his touchdown run, a 9-yard zone read that he kept in his own arms for the six points. This is the fourth time Ridder has scored on this specific play call (it would have been five if he wouldn't have fumbled the ball out the endzone against Tampa Bay in Week 7).

"If he wasn't (confident), he wouldn't have pulled the ball on the (touchdown) play. I'll tell you that," Smith said of Ridder. "That play will tell you a lot. If you don't want the ball in your hands it would be really easy to hand the ball off. … He wasn't living in his fears because that was the same play the ball popped out in Tampa."

When asked if he felt like he did enough to warrant a return to the starting quarterback spot, Ridder was frank.

"That's not really my decision," he said. "My job was to come in and be a backup to Taylor and be ready to go. I feel like I did my job in that aspect."

Smith did say, though, that Ridder's performance late "definitely" has an effect on the decision moving forward. Just what that decision will be — Ridder or Heinicke — is still to be decided as the Falcons regroup during the bye week.

If anything, the loss to the Cardinals made the path ahead more convoluted in the short term.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Micah Abernathy #29 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Punt team lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 reacts during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 pursues the quarterback during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 prepares to take a snap during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith #59 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeMarcco Hellams #37 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 reacts during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah #1 lines up during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 rushes the quarterback during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Fans during the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller #16 celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller #16 catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller #16 celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 rushes during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 reacts during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 hands off to running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 attempts to block a field goal during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 lines up during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 makes a tackle during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 hands off to running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 defend during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a PAT during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 lines up during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 throws a pass during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 prepares to take a snap during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 is tackled during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 lines up during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 reacts during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 reacts during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 makes a tackle during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 reacts during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 makes a tackle during the first quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Fans cheer during the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 during the second half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94 reacts after a tackle during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke #4 looks to pass during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and safety Jessie Bates III #3 react during the first half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 and defensive lineman Albert Huggins #94 make a tackle during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 on the sideline during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 celebrates with wide receiver Drake London #5 after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 on the sideline during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 lines up during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Kentavius Street #75 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 at halftime of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 on the sideline during the second quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 returns an interception during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 celebrates with teammates after an interception during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 makes a tackle during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Fans cheer during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the second half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 reacts after a tackle during the third quarter of during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53 on the sideline during the second half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone #51 runs off the field during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 runs after a catch during the second half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 and defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 make a tackle during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 reacts after a tackle during the third quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith #59 lines up for a kickoff during the second half of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 lines up during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 rushes during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass and attempts to score on a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 rushes during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #34 lines up during the fourth quarter of the Week 10 Game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, November 12, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Where does the quarterback conversation in Atlanta go from here after loss to Cardinals?

Desmond Ridder came in after Taylor Heinicke suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of the 25-23 loss in Arizona.

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