Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley will not return to the NFL in 2022 even if he wants to.
The NFL announced on Monday that Ridley has been suspended for at least the entire 2022 season after an investigation determined that he bet on NFL games. The gambling allegedly took place during a five-day period in late-November, after Ridley stepped away from the Falcons for mental health reasons.
The NFL said its investigation “uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way.” You can read the full release below:
NFL suspended WR Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season for gambling on NFL games. pic.twitter.com/2UmcA3amVY
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) March 7, 2022
It was unclear if Ridley planned to play next season. There have been rumblings that the Falcons could trade him, though that seems unlikely to happen now. Ridley raised some eyebrows about a potential comeback with a cryptic tweet he sent last week.
Ridley, 27, appeared in just five games for the Falcons in 2021 before stepping away. He was expected to take on a huge role in the team’s offense with Julio Jones out of the picture. His days with the franchise may now be over.
Photo: Mar 2, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
