The Los Angeles Chargers have traded for quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons, sending a conditional sixth-round pick in return. This move comes after starter Justin Herbert missed two weeks of training camp due to a plantar fascia injury, raising concerns about the backup quarterbacks' readiness. Easton Stick, who had previously filled in for Herbert, struggled during the preseason, prompting the Chargers to seek a more reliable backup. Heinicke brings experience as he enters his seventh season, having started 29 games in his career.

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is dealing with an ankle injury and there is doubt about his ability to play in Week 18 against New Orleans. The team is preparing Desmond Ridder as a backup option. Heinicke's participation during Week 18 preparation will provide more insight into his chances of playing.

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke hurt his left ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Bears and is uncertain for this weekend's game vs. the Saints. HC Arthur Smith said the team hopes to know whether Heinicke can play by Friday. If not, it'll be back to QB Desmond Ridder.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke suffered an ankle injury during the team's loss to the Chicago Bears. Heinicke had been limited in practice earlier in the week and was eventually forced to leave the game. His status for the regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints is uncertain. Falcons coach Arthur Smith pulled Heinicke from the game late, not because of the score, but because of the ankle injury. Heinicke had a rough outing before leaving the game, completing 10 of 29 passes for 163 yards, a touchdown, and 3 interceptions. He also ran four times for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is ready to play against the Bears after being a full participant in Friday's practice and not carrying an injury designation. He had been limited earlier in the week due to an ankle injury but is now cleared to start.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew delivers a wake-up call to his teammates after the Indianapolis Colts' disappointing loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Minshew emphasizes the importance of not taking wins for granted and warns that they must earn their playoff spot. The Colts' lackluster performance against the Falcons highlights the need for improvement in both their offense and defense.

Taylor Heinicke had an impressive performance in the Falcons' win over the Colts, completing 22 of 33 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed twice for 10 yards.

Coach Arthur Smith announced that the Falcons plan to play out the remainder of the 2023 season with Taylor Heinicke as the starting quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team will "let the season play out and go from there" when asked about head coach Arthur Smith's future. Blank stated that the organization is committed to Coach Smith but will assess the situation after the season ends. The Falcons' recent loss to the Carolina Panthers has put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.

Desmond Ridder will be replaced by Taylor Heinicke as Atlanta's starting quarterback Sunday versus the Colts.

The Falcons intend for Taylor Heinicke to start over Desmond Ridder versus the Colts on Sunday. Heinicke is usurping Ridder on the depth chart for the second time this season, a change that could well last the remainder of the 2023 campaign. Heinicke has been serviceable if unimpressive in limited action this season, having completed 41 of 74 pass attempts for 498 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception across three appearances.

The Atlanta Falcons are once again making a quarterback switch, going back to Taylor Heinicke to start Sunday against Indianapolis. Falcons coach Arthur Smith didn't want to go on a quarterback carousel this season but talked about the possibility of making a switch. Desmond Ridder made an error at a critical time, throwing an interception in the red zone on Atlanta's final drive. Ridder completed 63.3% of his passes this season for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 11 fumbles. Heinicke has completed 55.4% of his passes for 498 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception this season. The Falcons are making the change after evaluating everything following their loss to Carolina.

The Falcons have decided to bench QB Desmond Ridder for the second time this season. Ridder has struggled with his passing and ranks low in Pro Football Focus' passing grades. Taylor Heinicke will take over as the starting QB for the Falcons.

Desmond Ridder is officially back as the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith believes Ridder gives them the best chance to win. Ridder had been benched for two games and one quarter before coming in as a relief for Taylor Heinicke, who injured his hamstring. Heinicke's availability for practice this week is uncertain, and if he can't play, Logan Woodside will be Ridder's backup. Ridder's time on the bench allowed him to see the offense from a different perspective and gain confidence.

Taylor Heinicke is expected to return to a backup role in the Falcons' Week 12 game against the Saints with Atlanta planning to restore Desmond Ridder as its starting quarterback.

The Atlanta Falcons will start quarterback Desmond Ridder against the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. Ridder will replace Taylor Heinicke, who has struggled in his last three games. Ridder has shown promise with a higher completion rate and yards per attempt this season. The Falcons believe that Ridder's mistakes are correctable and that he has a lot of learning to do. Ridder is expected to be a mid-range QB2 in fantasy football.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith will wait until after the Week 11 bye to name a starting quarterback going forward. Taylor Heinicke struggled in the loss to the Cardinals and exited early with a hamstring injury. Desmond Ridder impressed Smith with his performance and is likely to be the starting QB in Week 12.

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, has a minor hamstring injury. Coach Arthur Smith stated that the injury is considered 'low grade' and Heinicke's availability for the next game will be determined during the Week 11 bye. Desmond Ridder filled in for Heinicke during the last game.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke was ruled out during the fourth quarter of his team's game against the Arizona Cardinals after suffering a hamstring injury. Heinicke was injured on an 8-yard scramble early in the fourth quarter and sat on the ground for about a minute before walking to the sideline. He immediately went into the blue tent and backup quarterback Desmond Ridder, who Heinicke replaced as the starting quarterback last week, re-entered the game. Heinicke was 8 of 15 for 55 yards and a touchdown along with having four carries for 34 yards rushing against Arizona. Falcons coach Arthur Smith said earlier this week he wasn't going to play musical chairs with his quarterbacks and was planning to use next week's bye to make a decision on who would be the starter for the rest of the season.

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, will not return to Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury. Prior to his departure, Heinicke had completed 8 of 15 passes for 55 yards and 1 touchdown, and rushed 4 times for 34 yards. Desmond Ridder took over as quarterback for the Falcons.

Taylor Heinicke, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, suffered a hamstring injury during the game against the Arizona Cardinals. He is questionable to return.

Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. He's officially questionable to return but seems unlikely to do so. He's been replaced by QB Desmond Ridder.

The Atlanta Falcons are starting Taylor Heinicke at quarterback against the Arizona Cardinals, but coach Arthur Smith made it clear that he does not want the decision about who starts at quarterback to be a weekly topic of conversation. Smith stated that they will evaluate what they've seen from Heinicke and Desmond Ridder over the first eight weeks and then make a decision from there. Ridder completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,701 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions, and six fumbles lost. Heinicke has completed 55.9% of his passes for 443 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception over the past six quarters.

The Atlanta Falcons will continue to start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback for their upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. Falcons coach Arthur Smith stated that they will assess the situation during their bye week. Heinicke completed 55.3% of his passes for 268 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his first start against the Minnesota Vikings. He has completed 55.9% of his passes for 443 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the last six quarters as the Falcons' quarterback. Atlanta has scored more points with Heinicke as their quarterback compared to Desmond Ridder, with a season-high 28 points against the Vikings and 20 points in the second half against the Titans. Heinicke has a career completion percentage of 63.3% with 6,188 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.

Falcons HC Arthur Smith announced that QB Taylor Heinicke will start again in Week 10 against Arizona. Heinicke's performance in Week 9 was average, completing 55.2% of his passes for 268 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. He has a favorable matchup against the Cardinals defense, which ranks 31st in pass-defense DVOA. However, his status as the starter beyond Week 10 is uncertain.