Star Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley won’t be seen on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium tonight.
But chances are he’ll be heard.
Ridley has endured a long, strange journey since the Falcons took him near the end of the first round in the 2018 NFL Draft. He struggled after a strong rookie season in Atlanta, eventually stepping away in 2021 due to what he termed as mental health reasons. He then was handed a suspension for the entire 2022 season after an NFL investigation discovered he had bet on games during the previous season, including on Falcons games (betting on Atlanta to win). Ridley was traded to Jacksonville later that year and in since returning from suspension has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons, 2023 with the Jaguars and 2024 with the Titans.
During joint practices with the Falcons this week, Ridley — who signed a four-year deal worth up to $90 million with Tennessee in 2024 — has made sure his old team is aware of him. He chirped at the Falcons’ sideline when recording a catch over Atlanta cornerback A.J. Terrell in practice (see the video below) and called out the Falcons’ social media team after they posted a clip of Terrell beating Ridley in another rep, telling the Falcons to “Post all them then!!!!”
Expect Ridley to have some more jawing to do from the sideline tonight.