Falcons bench QB Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke to start

(Photo credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports)
Desmond Ridder was benched in favor of backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who will start for the Atlanta Falcons against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

"Just for this week," Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said on Wednesday. "With all the variables, best for this week with Minnesota, Taylor will be playing this week."

Ridder is healthy and available and is Atlanta's No.