wide receiver Calvin Ridley was ruled out of the team's Thursday night game against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter, limping off the field after he set up a 10-yard touchdown run for his quarterback Matt Ryan.
What he was doing leading up to the injury is a perfect statement of the role that the third-year receiver plays for a dreary 1-6 Falcons team. Heading into Thursday, he had posted 615 yards (third in the league) on 40-of-64 receiving with six touchdowns (tied for third in the league) to lead the Falcons while serving as the ultimate playmaker in creating 32 first-down opportunities.