Flower Branch, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley will not travel to London for Sunday's game due to an undisclosed personal matter, the team announced in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Coach Arthur Smith said: "We are in support of Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy in this matter."
Ridley is one of three Falcons not traveling to England, along with receiver Russell Gage (ankle) and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (ankle).
Ridley, 26, has taken 27 catches for 255 yards and a touchdown this season and is coming off a seven-catch, 80-yard game against Washington on Sunday. Despite being season-high in yards, Ridley took two drops in Sunday's 34-30 loss to Washington, only the second time in his career he had dropped two passes in a game.
"Up and down. We expect more and Calvin knows it," Smith said of Ridley's performance against Washington on Monday. "I'm not saying anything that I don't tell the players. He's one of our top guys. He's one of our captains. Nobody expects more from him than we do, so I'm at his number Call me. I believe in Calvin but like all of us, we can all play better."
With Ridley out of the lineup and Gage still working to recover from an ankle injury in Week 2 against Tampa Bay, Atlanta's top receivers will be Olamide Zachius and fresh Sharpe against the Jets on Sunday.
Zaccheaus has filled in at wide receiver in Gage's absence and has six catches for 69 yards and one touchdown this season. In his career, he has played 25 matches with three starts. Sharpe, who signed with Atlanta off-season, took four catches for 29 yards this year. He last started a game in 2019 when he was with Tennessee.
In Ridley's absence the Falcons could also consider using other options. Cordrell Patterson has been a mix of running back and receiver for the Falcons this season, and both Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst possess high-level pass-catching skills. The trio - like Ridley - were first-round picks when they were drafted.
Pitts said on Thursday that he does not think his role will change if Ridley is unable to play on Sunday.
"I don't think that will change anything," Pitts said. "I'm still going to be on the dire end and contribute in any way I can."
The Falcons also have receiver Christian Blake and rookie Frank Darby on their roster. Juwan Green, who was temporarily elevated from the practice team in Week 3 against the Giants, could be high again despite not playing against New York. Austin Trammel and Keelan Doss, who have 11 career catches for 133 yards, are also in the practice squad.