Quarterback Marcus Mariota is expected to be placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Monday.
The move comes after what Smith said was a "performance based decision" to make Mariota the backup and start rookie Desmond Ridder.
"I have a lot of confidence in Des," Smith said Monday as the Falcons returned from their bye week.
The Falcons (5-8) play the New Orleans Saints (4-9) this week. Ridder played well in the preseason and the third-round pick could nail down the position with a strong finish to the 2022 regular season.