The Falcons are set to bench veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota and start rookie Desmond Ridder, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. The move comes after a 5–8 start to the season for Atlanta.
The Falcons, who are 1.5 games back of the Buccaneers in the NFC South, have a bye this weekend. After the week off, Ridder is set to start at the Saints on Sunday, Dec. 18.
Mariota struggled in last week’s 19–16 loss to the Steelers, completing 13-of-24 passes for just 167 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.