What It Means:

Heinicke is still recovering from a hamstring injury that forced him to exit the Falcons' last game before their Week 11 bye. Desmond Ridder has reclaimed the starting gig, so Heinicke will be returning to the backup role when he's cleared to play. The Falcons are hosting the New Orleans Saints in Week 12.

Among the 43 quarterbacks with 50-plus dropbacks this season, Heinicke is 21st in Passing Net Expected Points per attempt (0.06) and Ridder is 43rd (negative-0.05). The Saints have the seventh-best pass defense in the NFL, according to numberFire's opponent-adjusted rankings, so Ridder will have a tough test in his return to QB1 duty.