FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – In the middle of a playoff race, rookie quarterback T.J. Yates was thrown into the lineup and helped the Houston Texans reach the playoffs.
Yates, now the Falcons’ wide receivers coach, will share the story about his first NFL start with Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, who’s set to take on the Saints (4-9) in essentially a playoff-elimination game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Ridder was named the starter over the bye week by Falcons coach Arthur Smith. He has not played a down this season, and former starter Marcus Mariota has left the team to get knee surgery. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.