April 24, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — At 36, Colt McCoy is savoring every opportunity to play for the Arizona Cardinals, especially after teammate J.J. Watt's plans to retire were announced this week.
At 23, Desmond Ridder is trying to show he deserves to be considered the long-term starter for the Atlanta Falcons.
McCoy, who was cleared from concussion protocols this week, and Ridder, the rookie making a late-season audition, are expected to start at quarterback when the Cardinals visit the Falcons on Sunday in a matchup of teams eliminated from playoff contention.
McCoy returns after the Cardinals lost to Tampa Bay 19-16 in overtime last week in quarterback Trace McSorley's first start. The two have combined to fill in following Kyler Murray's season-ending knee injury on Dec. 12.
Murray's injury was another low point for Arizona (4-11).
“This season hasn’t gone the way we wanted to,” McCoy said. “We know we’ve only got two more cracks at it. I think for us and a team, and for me as an older player, I’m thankful that I’m cleared and can go out there. We’re going for one goal — that’s to win the game.”
Ridder will make his third start for Atlanta (5-10), which has lost four straight and six of seven. Ridder, the third-round pick from Cincinnati, is playing to show he can be considered the next season's starter following the benching of veteran Marcus Mariota. Mariota opted for season-ending knee surgery after losing his starting job, leaving his status with the team uncertain at best for 2023.
Ridder has provided mixed results, impressing coach Arthur Smith at times with his poise while not throwing a touchdown pass or an interception in two starts. But Ridder hasn't sparked the offense, which continues to lack a consistent passing threat while relying on the running of rookie Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson.
“I think we’re growing each and every week,” Ridder said. We wanted to get up and over these humps and find our way on an uphill climb. Obviously, we haven’t done that, but you see at practice that guys are showing up every single day ready to work. Guys want to come compete every single day. That’s something to be grateful for.”
