Falcons WR Calvin Ridley (personal matter) to miss Week 5 game vs. Jets in London

Calvin Ridley will not make the trip to London.

The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday that the standout receiver will not accompany the team to its overseas matchup against the Jets due to a personal matter.

“We are in support of Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy on the matter,” the team said in a statement.

Atlanta also announced wideout Russell Gage (ankle) and defensive end Marlon Davidson (ankle) will not travel with the team.

Ridley’s absence is a huge blow to an already struggling Falcons offense that ranks in the bottom 10 in total offense. The fourth-year pro entered Week 5 as the team’s leading receiver with 255 yards.

With Ridley and Gage out, receiver Olamide Zaccheaus figures to take over No. 1 duties while hybrid Cordarrelle Patterson, who’s having an impactful year, Tajae Sharpe, Christian Blake and Frank Darby should all expect to see at least a few targets from Matt Ryan.

Highly touted rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, along with Hayden Hurst, could also be in line for a notable uptick in targets. Pitts has yet to turn in that long-awaited breakout game, let alone score. Sunday’s matchup against a shoddy yet tough Jets defense may give him a real shot to accomplish either.

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