Marcus Mariota leaves team following Falcons benching

According to a number of reports, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota is away from the team following his demotion to the bench. Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith has made clear that rookie third-round pick Desmond Ridder will start the remainder of the games.

Smith said that Mariota is away from the team in order to rehab an injury, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. He was informed on Thursday that Ridder usurped him. He then told the team on Friday that he’d be stepping away.

Whether or not Mariota returns is unclear. Smith had said that the Falcons planned to put him on injured reserve.

Regardless, now Logan Woodside is in line to back up Ridder.

Smith announced the Falcons would be going with Ridder late last week

Mariota, the former No. 2 overall pick out of Oregon by the Tennessee Titans, led the Falcons to a 5-8 record through 13 games. Smith will make the move after the bye week and Ridder will go under center Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints.

“We will have some very intense meetings in the next couple of days,” Smith said of possible position changes, via the team’s website. “Obviously, I know where we’re at. We understand, too, that we’ve been in some close games lately and we need to get back over the hump. There will be changes made. Everything that we decide to do I will be as transparent as possible.”

Mariota put up pedestrian stats in the 19-16 loss to the Steelers Sunday. He finished 13-of-24 passing for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“You don’t want to look like you’re just blaming one person, and if you think it’s the best thing for you at that moment then, yeah, you’re going to do (make a move) because that’s what you’re paid to do,” Smith said Monday. “Circumstances are very different today than they were a couple weeks ago for different reasons.”