The Las Vegas Raiders are giving quarterback Desmond Ridder a chance to go up against his former team.
With Aidan O'Connell questionable with a knee injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Ridder is expected to start Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons selected Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started 13 of 15 games in 2023, going 6-7, throwing for 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 193 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The Falcons decided to cut bait with Ridder, trading him to the Arizona Cardinals during the off-season after signing Kirk Cousins to a big four-year deal and selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. Ridder did not make it on the Cardinals' 53-man roster and was cut at the end of training camp.
The Raiders signed Ridder off Arizona's practice squad in October, and O'Connell and Gardner Minshew were dealing with injuries.
In four games with Las Vegas, Ridder has completed 28 of his 44 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown.
His former teammates are happy to see Ridder get back on the field.
"I told him, if I see him before the game, I may have to punch him in the arm or something like that so can't do nothing against us," wide receiver Drake London said about playing against Ridder. "But no, I'm just happy for him."
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