The Atlanta Falcons made a huge move at the quarterback position this week when they announced that rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder would be taking over the starting quarterback after veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota held that position for the entire season. The move led Mariota to step away from the team for medical reasons, and now it looks like he’ll be unavailable for some extended time.
According to Atlanta NFL reporter Michael Rothstein of ESPN, Marcus Mariota will have surgery and the Atlanta Falcons are placing him on injured reserve.
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota is having surgery next week. Going on injured reserve today.
This is per Arthur Smith
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 14, 2022
“Falcons QB Marcus Mariota is having surgery next week. Going on injured reserve today. This is per Arthur Smith,” Rothstein said in a Tweet.
It’s pretty big news, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on social media.
Since Mariota's last start.
– Benched for Ridder
– Placed on IR
– Knee surgery
– Blessed w/a baby girlAnd that says to #Falcons Twitter that Mariota's "step away" comment that was said by his HC meant he's quitting the team? 🤔#MakeItMakeSense https://t.co/zH8cMNYyIC
— Kai Ching (@FalconInHawaii) December 14, 2022
Welp there it is. The drama was fun for a day or two but he was really injured. https://t.co/XLdvm4SFix
— King's Landing (@___theKing___) December 14, 2022
Y’all attacked his character an awful lot past few days. Say what you will about his performance, but Mariota’s been a captain & leader all year, taken blame for Dalman botched snaps, run the ball a lot for someone getting knee surgery, & been a class act since he signed with ATL https://t.co/N7xmgJ8fsq
— DiehardFalcFan (@DiehardFalcFan) December 14, 2022
Does confirm something is actually wrong with his knee. Hope for the best health in the future https://t.co/6aY947Dhxe
— Lead Hughes (@CookieByNature) December 14, 2022
Gonna be honest, but I literally don’t care at all about a crappy QB leaving the team for whatever reason.
Unless he became MVP level somehow, Mariota was always a stop gap. Not sure why people care so much? https://t.co/2CVY0jndTc
— Aaron (@roneman90) December 14, 2022
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith didn’t seem too enthused by Mariota’s decision, but he understood.
“The knee is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s (Mariota’s) prerogative,” Smith said of Mariota’s decision. “Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans.”
Ridder will make his first start when the team returns from its bye week.
